The discovery and usage of antibiotics has been seen as one of the advancements of the 20th century. While antibiotics continue to be impressive as they continue to do their job of either inhibiting or killing the microbes that cause many diseases, the real wonder is the rise of antibiotic resistance that continues to increase with documented cases around the world. Antibiotics have benefited mankind for many decades, but the over usage and exploitation of these helpful drugs has caused domino effect of resistance from the bacteria that they were meant to treat. This paper will look at hypothetical ways that mankind can get by in the event that antibiotic resistance becomes all-encompassing and they no longer have an effect in any way.
To…show more content… For example, MDR Neisseria gonorrhoeae is one of many that have shown increased resistance. Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted disease that was first discovered in 1879 by Albert Neisser. In those days it was widely spread by European sailors and explorers. Gonorrhea can be acquired through oral, vaginal or anal intercourse with someone that is infected. Amber Baker reported that the only treatment at this time was a mercury shot into the tip of the penis. After the discovery of penicillin, this method of treatment was no longer used. Not only can gonorrhea be passed through intercourse, but it can also be passed from mother to child during vaginal birth. Gonorrhea only effects humans and it typically resides in the most areas on the human body, like the reproductive tract of women, urethra, mouth, eyes and anus. Key tests that can be performed for diagnosis are Gram stain or urine sample if present in urethra or cervix (Baker) .Gonorrhea can be asymptomatic in men, but when it is a burning sensation during urination and abnormal discharge from the penis are the typical symptoms. Women are more likely than men to be asymptomatic when infected with gonorrhea. When they are infected, they also experience painful urination and abnormal discharge.…show more content… One way to help with resistance it to reduce the widespread use of antibiotics in various medical fields (Madigan, Martinko, Bender, Buckley, Stahl 2015). The extensive use provides a breeding ground for the spread of bacteria that have resistance genes. Thus making them have a selective advantage on their non-resistant gene having counterparts. Because antibiotics are prescribed at an exponential rate, there is bound to be inappropriate usage. The lack of knowledge about antibiotic resistance positively correlates with the higher prevalence of resistance. They are prescribed even when not needed by the patient. When antibiotics are used inappropriately they become a leading cause for bacteria to mutate and develop a resistance mechanism (Madigan, Martinko, Bender, Buckley, Stahl 2015). Antibiotics are used in medicine far more often that what is necessary. Another way to reduce antibiotic resistance among N. gonorrhoeae patients so that the strain they are carrying doesn’t reach the resistant stage is better education. Teaching the patient about their sexual health and how important it is that they continue to take their medicine is very important. Patient noncompliance is also a leading factor in antibiotic resistance. When a patient starts to feel better, they sometimes decide that the
