Let’s return to our discussion of evolving bacteria from the beginning of the chapter. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that based on current evidence, gonorrhea may soon be untreatable; there are no new treatments or vaccinations in development for this bacteria. Within the United States this remain the second most common sexually transmitted disease. Almost a third of the US cases are drug resistant. MRSA remains a growing problem in our healthcare system. Staph bacteria are the most common source of health-care related infections in the United States. Of MRSA infections, nearly 14% result in death.
Think about It
Based on this lesson you now understand that evolution is an inevitable process. Is there any hope of stopping antibiotic resistance from developing?
Is there anything you can do?
To learn more about the topic, you can visit the following websites:
- WHO—Antimicrobial Resistance
- CDC—Antibiotic Resistance Threats
- CDC—Mission Critical: Preventing Antibiotic Resistance
- FDA—Antibacterial Soap
Candela Citations
- Authored by: Shelli Carter and Lumen Learning. Provided by: Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution
