Pro-Bacteria Persons

You’re one of them. Disagree? Why? Is it because you use the sanitary wipes on your grocery carts? Is it because you use hand sanitizer every day? Perhaps it’s because you get antibiotics whenever you have a sniffle…

If you cite any of these reasons, or reasons similar, as to why you are not pro-bacterial, then I’m sorry to say you are mistaken. Here’s why: Whenever you use medicines, wipes, gels and the like, you are killing off many harmful bacteria. This is good, right? It used to be, but not anymore, and the reason is because the bacteria you don’t kill, the ones left over, are the strongest of the bunch. You’ve heard of “survival of the fittest” no doubt, and this is no different. But what does that mean? It means that the bacteria left over are the strongest and most adaptable, and as they evolve (which happens on a superiorly quicker timeline than any of our evolutionary changes could) the resulting new generations of bacteria are increasingly immune to the antibacterial agents we have.

This is why the term “antibiotic resistant bacteria” is creeping up in the news more and more often, and the results can be deadly. It’s estimated that 40,000 Americans die per year because of these organisms. Are you next?

So what can be done to fight these new, super bacteria? One thing we can do is decrease our use of antibacterial agents in general. The vast majority of livestock, for example, are given cocktails of these medicines which then transfer into our own bodies when we eat meat. In addition, doctors can decrease the amount of antibiotics they give. It is all too common for a physician to give them out to someone with a viral infection, as viral and bacterial infections have similar symptoms. Another side-effect to these medicines is the destruction of our good bacteria that aid in digestion.

Of course no one is advocating that anyone stop sanitizing a kitchen countertop or anything, but just a decrease in usage in other areas of our lives will help.

In the meantime, WHO and other health organizations, along with pharmaceutical companies, are working vigorously to come out with new and stronger medicines, but it’s up to us to do our part. Sanitizing every inch of our bodies and homes is making us, our pets, and our children sicker. We all know this outcome was unintended. But now that you know, what are you going to do about it?