M6.6 Blog: Use of Antibiotics

ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE 101: HOW ANTIBIOTIC MISUSE ON FACTORY FARMS CAN MAKE YOU SICK

                                              

"Far more antibiotics are given to livestock than to people". I was well aware that our current agricultural system relies on the use of antibiotics and other hormonal chemicals to increase growth and production to meet the demand for meat. What I did not realize was the level in which it was used, I had no idea that that antibiotics were being given much more to animals (who are NOT sick in the first place) in comparison to people. Although antibiotics are intended to be used as a preventative measure against contaminated livestock, the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria from animal to human did not occur to me as a possible consequence of this business/agricultural practice. It is scary to know how easily the AR Bacteria can spread and affect our own health and ability to receive antibiotics for our own illnesses or health conditions. Despite the research demonstrating the association between the practices of the livestock industry and the spread of bacterial infection, it is surprising to me by how little has been done to hold them accountable. The recommendations, however, proposed by Food and Water Watch are excellent approaches towards pushing Congress to pass legislation on lessening the use of non-therapeutic antibiotics. I especially like their recommendation on helping to support livestock producers to find alternatives and enforcement of FDA regulation over the use of antibiotics. 

NEARBY LIVESTOCK MAY RAISE 'SUPERBUG' RISK

I found this article highly unsettling. People being infected with MRSA who have not had direct contact with livestock? This is my first time hearing about this kind of bacteria. The finding that perhaps regional density may explain this phenomena makes sense... I would need to read into a bit more about how MRSA is transmitted and the conditions that would allow it to thrive. Consumption of the infected meat is an obvious mode of transmission, I found it interesting that researchers did not immediately jump to that as the reason for the spread of MRSA to non-livestock producing folks.

SCIENTISTS DISCOVER THAT ANTIMICROBIAL WIPES AND SOAPS MAY BE MAKING YOU (AND SOCIETY) SICK

I have always been a germaphobe, I am very afraid of getting sick. As a result, I am a big fan of using antimicrobial wipes, soaps, and hand-sanitizers. Every time I use them, I am always comforted by the idea that I am protecting myself from illness especially in places crawling in germs like on BART or while working in the San Francisco Tenderloin. I do wash my hands frequently with soap, but sometimes when I am rushing about, I tend prefer to use hand-sanitizer. I always try to be careful about what I touch, such as wiping down my phone and computer keyboard, using tissues to touch door knobs when possible, etc. In reading the anecdote about the man furiously wiping his hand after touching the gross handle to his grocery cart, I really identified with him. Learning that there isn't really much of a difference in effectiveness between washing your hands with regular soap and antibacterial soap was shocking for me. Essentially, these products were giving me a false sense of security this whole time. I was especially surprised by the study that found that patients who were ill became even more ill despite using antibacterial soap. The harm that these products cause to the environment was a big awakening for me...I was so focused on the whole "avoid germs" that I did not consider the effects of these chemicals after they go down our drains. Although it pains me, I will learn to lessen my use of antimicrobial products to better protect myself and the environment.

A REPORT ABOUT THE NEW PRACTICE OF INCORPORATING ANTIMICROBIALS INTO THE MANUFACTURE OF HOSPITAL FURNISHINGS

Whenever I think of hospitals, I think of them as cesspools of bacteria and germs despite their often sterile presentation. The use of antimicrobials to address and lessen health care related infection is a good approach, but there are tradeoffs. As we have learned, the use of antibacterial products can also increase the chances of getting ill. There is also the issue of controlling for the toxicity and considering the environmental impact these furnishings may have if incorporated into hospitals. This report provides good recommendations in making the decision to use antimicrobials or not, especially in regulation, manufacturing, and the importance of addressing gaps in research.