Question

Explain how antibiotic resistance could lead to a bacterial disease epidemic

Answer 1

Antibiotic resistance is such a big, big deal. In fact, the risk of antibiotic resistance is very scary to think about. When we abuse the use of antibiotic for things that aren't really needed to have an antibiotic for or if we don't use them as prescribed or we don't finish the antibiotic, we run this risk of the bacteria becoming resistant. Bacteria are smart. They adapt and overcome, basically like "survival of the fittest".

If we have more or ALL bacteria resistance to antibiotics we start being unable to control bacteria; which can lead to a major epidemic of serious bacteria killing millions of people. 

An example is MRSA. MRSA is already a start of an antibiotic resistant bacteria. Now, we typically treat MRSA with Bactrim, Vancomycin, Zosyn. There aren't many but now because the bacteria will adapt and overcome, there is something now called VRSA; which is Vancomycin resistant staph meaning the most potent drug that helps treat MRSA is now resistant. MRSA can kill people without problem.

It's so scary to think about!