The year is 1928. In a cluttered laboratory at St. Mary's Hospital in London, a chance discovery by Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming is about to change the course of human history. Fleming has just noticed something strange: a petri dish containing staphylococci bacteria, accidentally contaminated with mould, had clear zones around the mould where bacteria could not grow. Whether by pure luck or divine providence, this observation marked the birth of penicillin, the world's first antibiotic.
Antibiotics have revolutionised the treatment of bacterial infections, saving an estimated 500 million lives and extending the average human lifespan by 23 years since their discovery. However, as this self-confessed pharmacist with a sweet tooth knows all too well, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing (as does Beaver Dental, if you catch my drift).
The widespread and sometimes inappropriate use of antibiotics has led to antibiotic resistance; a growing challenge globally. Today we put the causes of antibiotic resistance under the microscope and explore effective prevention strategies while emphasising the importance of using antibiotics responsibly to protect both current and future generations.

What is Antibiotic Resistance?

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria adapt and develop mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotics that were once effective against them. Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a significant global health concern, necessitating concerted efforts to promote responsible antibiotic use, improve infection control measures and develop new antibiotics and alternative treatments to combat resistant infections effectively.
One well-publicised example is MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). MRSA wasn't always resistant to methicillin, penicillin and cephalosporins and initially, these antibiotics effectively treated Staphylococcus aureus infections. However, due to overuse and misuse of antibiotics over time, resistant strains of MRSA emerged, leading to the difficult-to-treat infections we see today.

How does Antibiotic Resistance occur?

While bacterial adaptation can occur naturally over time, misuse and overuse of antibiotics can significantly accelerate this process. This works in the following ways:
1. Selective Pressure: When bacteria in the body are exposed to antibiotics, this creates an environment where only bacteria resistant to the antibiotic survive. Antibiotics can disrupt the balance of ‘good’ bacteria, fungi, viruses and archaea which naturally reside in our bodies. This disruption can lead to overgrowth of ‘bad’ resistant bacteria.
2. Resistance Development: Resistant bacteria that survive antibiotic exposure can multiply and spread. This increases the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains.
3. Community Spread: Resistant bacteria can spread to others in the community, either directly or indirectly, through contact or environmental contamination.
4. Reduced Effectiveness: Over time, as more bacteria develop resistance, antibiotics become less effective in treating bacterial infections. This limits treatment options for patients with serious bacterial illnesses. Infections that were once easily treatable become harder to manage and may lead to increased healthcare costs and patient morbidity.

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Why Shouldn't Antibiotics Be Prescribed for Viral Infections like Colds or Flu?

When antibiotics are unnecessarily prescribed for viral infections like colds or flu, resistance develops. Of course, this can easily be avoided, since antibiotics target bacterial infections and have no effect on viruses in the first place.

Why is it important for patients to complete the full course of treatment?

To describe this, imagine with me the significantly less clinical world of zombies–popularised by movies like ‘Zombieland’. When eliminating zombies, to "double tap" is to follow the first strike with a second, preferably at point blank, to ensure the zombie is effectively neutralised. In the same way, patients must always complete their full course of treatment to ensure the bacteria that survive initial antibiotic exposure eventually die and stay dead. Incomplete treatment fails to fully eradicate bacteria, allowing resistant strains to persist and proliferate, complicating future infection management.

What Is Beaver Health Doing to Help?

At Beaver Health, we employ infection control practices at our Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA) licenced facilities. This contributes to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria among patients and within communities, making infections more easily treated, shortening hospital stays and saving lives in the process.
Beaver Health also educates our community about the causes of antibiotic resistance, emphasising prevention strategies and promoting responsible antibiotic use. By doing so, we aim to mitigate the spread of resistant bacteria and preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations.

How You can Help Combat Antibiotic Resistance

1. Avoid requesting antibiotics for viral infections like colds or flu, since, as already mentioned, these medications are ineffective against viruses. Instead, trust your healthcare provider's guidance on when antibiotics are truly necessary.
2. Always complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed, even if you start feeling better, to ensure all bacteria are effectively eradicated.
3. Practice good hygiene, such as regular handwashing, to prevent infections and reduce the need for antibiotics.
4. Stay informed about antibiotic resistance and spread awareness among family and friends to promote responsible antibiotic use in your community. These steps can help preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics and protect both current and future generations from the challenges of antibiotic-resistant infections.

Efforts to combat antibiotic resistance require collaborative action at various levels, from individual healthcare practices to global health policy. At Beaver Dental, our commitment to stringent infection control practices and patient education has yielded tangible outcomes, with such efforts supported by Medical and Beaver Pharmacy. Our thorough practices have minimised incidences of antibiotic-resistant infections among our dental patients, leading to fast recoveries and happy patients. Our community outreach initiatives also empower individuals to make the right choices for their healthcare. For personalised advice and more information on responsible antibiotic use, talk to our doctors and pharmacists at Beaver Health today.