What are Superbugs And Why Are They So Dangerous?
Superbugs are one of the most severe threats to our health today.
These bacterial infections are resistant to antibiotics, which makes them difficult to treat and VERY, VERY fatal.
They can happen fast; the healthiest person of any age (even newborns) is fine in one day and possibly in a coma, fighting for their life a couple of days later.
With the rise of superbugs in recent years, it's important to understand what they are, why they're dangerous, and how we can protect ourselves so that we don’t have to go back to the 1800s and cut off limbs because of a simple infection.
The first superbugs were found in the 1960s, just after antibiotics were discovered.
This one was a strain of Staphylococcus aureus or "staph" bacteria.
Since then, many other strains of bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics, including tuberculosis, E. coli, and Salmonella, and guess what, reader? It’s all because of the overuse of antibiotics.
What Are Superbugs?
They are a strain of bacteria that over time have become resistant to almost every type of antibiotic there is in medicine.
Where Did They Come From?
To discuss these superbugs, we need to first take a look at how antibiotics are here in the first place and how they can cause them.
A Scottish doctor named Alexander Fleming accidentally discovered antibiotics one day while cleaning off his lab bench.
One of his lab tools was contaminated with mold, but all the bacteria were dead. It was like the mold was releasing some poison to kill the bacteria.
Anyway, the doctor studied this mold and found it was a fungus called Penicillium.
He took out that ‘poison’ from this mold so that it could be given to humans who had an infection because of bacteria, and this ‘poison’ was the first antibiotic called Penicillin.
Antibiotics are just medicines that fight harmful bacteria in our bodies.
They don’t have to be found only in fungi (plural of fungus); they can also be found in fruits, vegetables, soil, plants, and even some animals, basically in nature.
This discovery of Dr. Fleming changed medicine and saved so many lives because, guess what, reader, before antibiotics, if a person had an infection, wherever that infection was on their body would need to be cut off before it spread to other parts of the body.
Antibiotics save lives. Great. Now, where do superbugs come into all of this?
This same doctor also lived long enough to notice that once so many people started using this new antibiotic, Penicillin, some bacteria started to fight back by changing themselves so that they wouldn’t get affected by it.
This was a problem because it was only going to be so long before many, if not most, bacteria started to fight back, and that would mean people would go back to life before antibiotics: limb chopping.
The good doctor decided to warn everyone not to use too many antibiotics because then different types of bacteria around the world would come into contact with them and try to change themselves to become resistant.
When these bacteria change and become resistant to antibiotics, they are called superbugs.
Fast forward to today, and of course, we didn’t listen, and we overused and are still overusing antibiotics.
Who better than a human being to be stubborn? Now, superbugs are becoming more and more common.
You might ask, “How are we overusing it?”
Here are four places we overuse antibiotics:
Over-Prescription
Sometimes, doctors prescribe antibiotics unnecessarily, like for viral infections that don’t need antibiotics. Not every slight cough needs antibiotics.
Agricultural Use
So many animals raised for food are given antibiotics to prevent and treat infections, so when the bacteria in these animals become superbugs, they can get into their meat, and then people eat this meat.
Misuse By Patients
Some patients misuse antibiotics by not completing the entire course of treatment as their doctor prescribed to them.
You might wonder why this is a problem.
It’s because if the person is given a certain amount of antibiotics to take so they can get better, and they don’t take all of these antibiotics to destroy all the bacteria that are causing them problems, the bacteria that is left can fight back and change themselves to become resistant.
Some patients also take antibiotics for conditions that don’t need them, and this is also a problem because some of the bacteria in their bodies may not be killed.
These bacteria would notice the antibiotics and try to protect themselves by changing and becoming resistant.
This adds even more superbugs to the world's list of superbugs we cannot treat.
Just because antibiotics lie around in the medicine cabinet doesn’t mean they need to be taken for simple things.
The same thing happens when people take antibiotics for viral infections. ANTIBIOTICS DO NOT KILL VIRUSES.
Antibacterial Products
Antibacterial products like hand soaps, disinfectants, and cleaning products can also add to the problem.
The more we unnecessarily show bacteria antibiotics, the more they fight back.
Some might say, “Then, are we supposed to use soaps that don’t kill germs?”
The answer is yes. Soaps are used to wash away dirt and grime.
They help with germs by breaking down the oils and fats that germs cling to.
When you rinse, the germs go with the water and become less on your skin or whatever surface is being washed.
We don’t need to kill bacteria in our everyday lives with antibiotics. Think of it like wiping up a spill.
Do you really think extreme heat would be necessary to ensure that almost every drop of liquid from the spill is completely dry?
Okay fine…, but
What Do They Do To Us Anyway?
Superbugs can have different effects on our bodies, and here are a few:
Pneumonia: a severe lung infection that can cause cough, fever, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue
Urinary tract infections: which can cause painful urination, frequent urination, fever, and abdominal pain
Skin infections: like cellulitis, abscesses, and wound infections
Bloodstream infections: these can cause fever, chills, low blood pressure, and organ failure
Gastrointestinal infections: these can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and dehydration.
Surgical site infections: infections after surgery, which can cause pain, redness, swelling, fever, and other symptoms
If any of these happen, and all our antibiotics are tried and don’t work, then there is no choice except to remove the infected limb before it spreads.
Otherwise, the person might lose their life or be severely damaged.
When it comes to superbugs, it might start off like a slight illness but quickly turn into a life-or-death matter.
Poll
Types of Superbugs
There are several different types, each named after the specific antibiotic it was first known to be resistant to.
For example, if a superbug called Staphylococcus aureus is resistant to the antibiotic methicillin, it might be called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA for short.
Even though they are named like this, they can still develop resistance to other antibiotics over time.
Here are some examples of types of superbugs:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA):
This is a type of bacteria that is resistant to the antibiotic methicillin and other commonly used antibiotics.
MRSA infections can cause many symptoms, including skin infections, pneumonia, and bloodstream infections.
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE):
This is a group of bacteria that is resistant to carbapenem antibiotics, which are often considered "last-resort" antibiotics.
CRE infections can cause various symptoms, including pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and urinary tract infections.
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE):
This is a type of bacteria that is resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin and other antibiotics.
VRE infections can cause various symptoms, including urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, and wound infections.
Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria:
This group of bacteria is resistant to a class of antibiotics called beta-lactams, which includes drugs like penicillin and cephalosporins.
ESBL-producing bacteria can cause a lot of infections, including urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia.
These are just a few examples, but other types exist as well.
Characteristics of Superbugs
Their protective outer layer makes it hard for antibiotics to get inside and kill the bacteria.
They can produce enzymes that break down the antibiotics.
They can share their resistance genes with other bacteria, making it even harder to treat infections because these bacteria would then become resistant.
Superbugs in Hospitals
Unfortunately, hospitals are prime breeding grounds for these troublesome little guys.
With so many sick people in one place and with various antibiotics being prescribed left and right, it's easy for superbugs to evolve and spread.
Why?
It’s because hospital staff may deal with a patient with a superbug infection and then clean their hands, tools, and utensils the way they normally do and think everything is clean.
The problem is that sometimes, that normal way of cleaning just doesn’t cut it with superbugs, so when this same staff goes to another patient who is not infected with a superbug, they can transfer it to them, and this could keep going on until the hospital has a superbug outbreak.
It also doesn’t help when antibiotics are being given out in hospitals for unnecessary reasons. We saw this during the COVID-19 world pandemic in 2020.
Antibiotics were given out to people with CoVid.
You would think that with all the years some people spend studying medicine, nursing, etc.. they would at least know that ANTIBIOTICS DON’T KILL VIRUSES. Reader, I’m just over it.
Superbugs and Travel
They are not confined to hospitals anymore; they are popping up in community settings like workplaces, gyms, and even schools.
And with travel being so accessible these days, the possibility of bringing them from one place to another is becoming more and more likely.
It's not just about being near someone who's infected, either.
You could pick up superbugs from contaminated surfaces like handrails, door handles, and airline tray tables.
I don’t want to scare you, reader, into never traveling again, but as the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.
It’s always better to be informed than not to be.
It may sound incredible to spend time in a foreign country you don’t know doing things the locals do, but you are not from there and might not have the same tolerance for things they may have.
Not that they may be resistant to superbugs, but some people’s bodies may adapt to certain things because that is their environment, but someone who is not from them may suffer from those same things.
Think of why we are advised not to drink the tap water of different countries when we travel there, but we can drink the tap water of where we are from.
Let me give you an example. I traveled to Africa on one of my vacations and got malaria.
Some people there who get malaria may be a bit sick and then get better.
As for me, I was getting ready to go, and I mean to the next life.
Not to be dramatic, but as I said, it’s better to be informed than not because being ignorant makes one an enemy to oneself.
Take my example.
Animals, Antibiotics, and Superbugs
Did you know, reader, that the use of antibiotics in the agricultural industry has been on the rise since the 1950s?
Even though this may have helped increase the yield of bad-quality meat and dairy products, it has also caused superbugs.
And reader, don’t get me started with industrial agriculture and the sugar industry.
This article is not long enough.
The things people do for a quick buck are unbelievable. Check out ‘Beyond The Grocery Store: What are you ‘really’ paying for?
The problem is that animals are given antibiotics to prevent illness instead of antibiotics when sick.
Have you ever heard of a living creature—an animal or human—that doesn’t get sick?
What a waste.
Many animals are packed into small spaces, so many pockets can be heavily lined with money.
OF COURSE, they will get sick, especially in tight spaces where they can’t even move properly, not to mention the bad, unnatural food they give them, which also affects us because we eat these animals.
Prevention is better than cure, but this is not prevention; it’s overkill and for greedy reasons.
As for the real farmer down the road who is doing things the way they are supposed to be, he/she gets ignored because the things they sell aren’t big enough or nice looking enough.
What a world.
Current Impact of Superbugs
With the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, these superbugs are evolving faster than our methods of treatment.
This means that if we don’t take a stand fast, more people might end up affected and seriously possibly dying.
Rising healthcare costs caused by superbugs are also a problem.
For many of us, it's starting to feel like we're one doctor's visit away from bankruptcy.
With more and more people falling prey to these bugs, treatment costs are soaring.
This includes not just the direct medical costs but also the indirect costs related to loss of work, social exclusion, and reduced quality of life.
The potential for pandemics caused by superbugs is also a concern because these bacteria can spread rapidly and without warning.
I don’t think anyone wants a superbug pandemic.
Prevention and Control of Superbugs
What can be done to stop the issue with all the things these bugs do and all the problems they can cause?
There are a couple of things:
Antibiotic stewardship
This is a fancy word for using antibiotics responsibly to minimize the development of superbugs.
Basically, it's important to only use antibiotics when necessary and to take them as prescribed.
Just because you have it on your counter doesn’t mean you need to take it.
If you have a cold, you don’t need antibiotics because viruses cause colds, and antibiotics don’t kill viruses.
Infection control measures
These measures are designed to prevent the spread of superbugs and illnesses in general by doing things like using proper hand hygiene, wearing personal protective equipment, and isolating patients who are infected.
Development of new antibiotics
Scientists are working hard to develop new antibiotics to combat these bugs.
It's a race against time, but if successful, these new drugs could save countless lives and make a real difference in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Vaccination
Vaccines can prevent infections in the first place (we’re not talking about every vaccine here), which means fewer opportunities for these bacteria to develop antibiotic resistance.
Plus, getting vaccinated can even help slow the spread of the existing superbugs.
Public awareness and education
Teaching people about the risks of superbugs, the importance of using antibiotics responsibly, and good hygiene practices can help reduce the spread.
FAQ
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Besides the ones we mentioned above, here are 3 more and what they do:
Clostridioides difficile (C. diff): This type can cause severe diarrhea and colitis. It is often spread in healthcare settings.
Acinetobacter baumannii: This type is often found in healthcare settings also and can cause infections like pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and urinary tract infections.
Salmonella and Campylobacter: These two can be from foods that are contaminated and undercooking them makes them easier to transfer to the body.
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Doctors can suspect that an infection is caused by a superbug if the patient has a history of antibiotic use or if the infection is not responding to standard treatments.
First, they would have to test what type of bacteria it is. Then they would have to grow the bacteria in a lab and expose it to different antibiotics to see which ones are effective.
If a superbug is identified, they may need to use alternative antibiotics or combinations of antibiotics to try and treat the infection.
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Bacteriophages: These are viruses that specifically target and kill bacteria. They are often used in countries like Russia and Georgia, where they have been used for decades as an alternative to antibiotics.
Basically, viruses are found in different parts of nature and are worked on in a lab to be extracted. Then they are given topically or even orally to the patient with the superbug infection so that the viruses attack the superbugs.
The issue is that modern medicine doesn’t really use this technique, so to say that this would be prescribed in a hospital is a maybe.
One advantage of phage therapy over antibiotics is that phages are very specific to certain types of bacteria, so they do not harm the good bacteria in our bodies. But, one disadvantage is that phages can become less effective over time if the bacteria they target develop resistance to them.
Developing and using phage therapy needs a high level of expertise and specialized facilities to produce and test them
Immune therapies: Immune therapies are a way to try and boost the body's immune response to help fight the superbug infection.
There are other options like essential oils that have antimicrobial behavior that are said to help, and some people get antibiotic combinations to try that as well.
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Overuse of antibiotics in livestock: As we mentioned before, giving animals antibiotics unnecessarily can cause them to develop superbugs which could be transferred to us when we eat their meat.
Use of antibiotics in crop production: Some farmers also use antibiotics in their crops to “prevent” or treat bacterial diseases. This can cause superbugs to develop in the soil, which can then contaminate water sources we get our water from like rivers or wells. The bacteria could also be on the crops themselves that we then eat.
Poor waste management: Improper disposal of animal waste from farms can lead to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria into the environment, including water sources and soil.
Crowded and unsanitary conditions: Having crowded and unsanitary conditions in animal farming can lead to the spread of bacterial infections among the animals, which can then increase the use of antibiotics and the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (superbugs).
International trade: Superbugs can also spread globally through the trade of food and agricultural products. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be present in imported foods or in livestock, which can then spread to local populations.
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On a global level, many organizations and governments are working together to address the issue of superbugs. Here are some things that are being done:
Education: People are being educated about the proper use of antibiotics, including not taking them when they do not need them.
Antibiotic Stewardship Programs: Programs are being implemented in hospitals and clinics to promote the responsible use of antibiotics and prevent them from being misused.
Research: Scientists are researching new antibiotics and alternative treatments for bacterial infections. Unfortunately, though, this research is not going fast enough currently because superbugs can spread at a quick rate.
Regulations: Governments are regulating the use of antibiotics in agriculture and other industries to reduce the risk of superbugs.
International Cooperation: Countries are working together to share information in order to deal with the issue on a global level..
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We have already mentioned a few things you can do to help protect yourself and others, but here are a few more things:
Practice good hygiene, including washing your hands regularly and properly, and avoiding close contact with sick people.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
Be careful when you are in close contact with farm animals or handling raw meat, and make sure to cook meat thoroughly. Don’t touch raw meats and then touch other things without first washing your hands.
Stay up-to-date on vaccinations to prevent infections that may require antibiotics. As we also mentioned, an ignorant person is an enemy to themselves, so we should always learn so that we could know how to protect ourselves.
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If you lived through CoVid-19, you are probably already familiar with this.
Developing a new antibiotic can take many years, typically around 10-15 years. The process involves many stages, including discovery, preclinical testing, clinical trials, and regulatory approval.
You might be saying at this point reader, “Wait?…but during CoVid, vaccines came out in like a couple of months.”
Yes, that is true, but when vaccines are normally being researched, usually it’s different organizations here and there that try to work to do their best with the resources they have.
For the CoVid-19 vaccine though, think of it as an example of what happens when the whole world comes together, putting their money, information, and heads together to find a solution to a problem we are all having.
When greediness is put aside because it’s a life-or-death matter, human beings can make a lot of impossible things possible. This is why it takes wars for “impossible” inventions to be made because of the urgent need.
So reader, during the discovery stage, scientists search for new molecules that can kill or stop the growth of bacteria. This usually means they screen large libraries of compounds to find what they are looking for.
Once they identify a promising molecule, it undergoes preclinical testing in the laboratory and in animal models to check its safety and how well it works.
If they are successful at this, the molecule can move on to clinical trials, which involve testing in humans to evaluate safety and efficiency.
Clinical trials can take several years to complete and involve several phases, with each phase needing larger and more diverse groups of participants.
If that is successful, regulatory approval is needed before the antibiotic can be made available to the public (think FDA).
This involves another rigorous evaluation by government agencies to ensure the antibiotic is safe and effective for its intended use.
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Yes, there are. One downside is that bacteria can eventually develop resistance to new antibiotics, making them less effective over time. Additionally, developing new antibiotics can be time-consuming, expensive, and may have unwanted side effects for the people who take them. Think of the CoVid-19 vaccine (if you lived through it and took it). When people take medicines, there are almost always side effects, but it’s a trade-off for a cure.
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Yes, some regions of the world may be more vulnerable because of things like how much they overuse and misuse antibiotics, poor sanitation and hygiene practices, and limited access to healthcare.
Low-and middle-income countries, in particular, may be at a higher risk because of limited resources and materials to prevent and control infections.
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We can:
implement strict guidelines and regulations for healthcare providers to follow when prescribing antibiotics
education and awareness campaigns for healthcare providers and the general public
developing and using diagnostic tests to identify the specific bacteria causing an infection because this can allow doctors to prescribe the most effective antibiotic for that particular bacteria instead of overusing other antibiotics by prescribing them for infections caused by viruses or other types of bacteria that do not respond to antibiotics
(basically reader, doctors could hit a bullseye on the first shot instead of trying out different antibiotics that might not work because they would otherwise be giving other bacteria a chance to become resistant and fight back)
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Antibiotic/Antimicrobial Resistance.” CDC, 2023, https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/index.html.
World Health Organization. “Antimicrobial Resistance.” WHO, 2023, https://www.who.int/health-topics/antimicrobial-resistance.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. “Antimicrobial Resistance.” NIAID, 2023, https://www.niaid.nih.gov/research/antimicrobial-resistance.
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Conclusion
When we don't finish the antibiotics we're prescribed even after starting to feel, we can cause superbugs. Constantly buying antibacterial products like soap and cleaning products can cause superbugs. Superbugs are not too common, but they're increasing. To protect ourselves, we need to follow the tips necessary to avoid getting affected by one and needing to chop off a limb.
Tell Us: Have you ever heard of a case of superbugs in your area?
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