What you need to know about this superbug report
A report from the Centers for Disease Control on the threat of so-called superbugs to human health says that U.S. deaths from the dangerous germs have dropped since 2013, even as threats continue to escalate.
The term “superbug” is shorthand for bacteria and other infections that resist antibiotic treatment. Over time, the heavy use of antibiotics has led to some of these germs developing ways to fight back.
“More than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the U.S. each year, and more than 35,000 people die as a result,” the CDC report reads.
So what do you need to know?
Dr. Robert Citronberg, director of the division of infectious diseases at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Ill., says that people who aren’t chronically ill or hospitalized “are not at high risk for infection with these so-called ‘superbugs.’”
Still, “antibiotic resistance occurs regularly in people who take antibiotics for any reason,” Dr. Citronberg says. “As more and more people take antibiotics, the likelihood of resistance increases, making it more difficult to treat even historically routine infections. A great example is gonorrhea, which, in some cases, is impossible to treat due to antibiotic resistance.”
Antibiotics were developed decades ago and have been called “miracle drugs” for their effectiveness in fighting tough infections. But if you take them when you don’t need them, you can suffer dangerous side effects, Dr. Citronberg says.
His advice: “If your health care provider wants you to take an antibiotic, ask them if it is really necessary. Don’t be afraid to voice your concerns about potential side effects.”
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About the Author
Mike Riopell, health enews contributor, is a media relations coordinator with Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. He previously worked as a reporter and editor covering politics and government for the Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald and Bloomington Pantagraph, among others. He enjoys bicycles, home repair, flannel shirts and being outside.
This was more about over-prescribing of anti-biotics. Really did not address anything about how to minimize infection or how to proceed if infected. That would have been helpful
Thank you for this article. It told me what I need to know about the “superbug” as it applies to me and most people. If I didn’t fall into the category of most, I would seek further for more information.