A few years back, many of our hand soaps and cleaning products were invaded by antibacterial substances. Since then it has become fairly common knowledge that actions like this, as well as the many years of antibiotic abuse, have caused stronger, more virulent bacteria, aka “super bugs,” to develop in our society. At a simplistic level, the problem arose because these anti-bacterial products, despite killing off some bad bacteria, are also killing off a lot of good bacteria, which is part of the normal flora of the human body. We are literally covered- inside and out- with bacteria and other microorganisms, actually outweighing our own cells by 10 to 1!
There have been recent developments and research supporting our need to foster the good bacteria (aka probiotics – more on this in the next HealthBit btw) so they can naturally outweigh the bad. In order to turn the tides, we must also make informed decisions about antibiotic use. We should only get antibiotics if a bacterial infection has been diagnosed by proper laboratory testing. Antibiotics do nothing for viral infections, such as the “common cold”, and actually kill off many good bacteria in the process, thus taxing the immune system and setting us up for further illness.
I am not saying there is not a time and a place for antibiotics and antibacterials, but the resultant problem from the abuse of these goes beyond our individual bodies. If our society continues to abuse antibacterials and antibiotics in our homes, and add to the creation of these “super bugs,” what will what will happen in hospitals and research laboratories where antibacterial agents are really needed?
Already there exist a number of bacteria that are resistant to penicillin, and a few to much stronger drugs than that. In order to help turn the tides, we can all make small changes. We can wash our hands with regular soap and hot water (25 seconds is ideal), not purchase items with antibacterials added, and only go for antibiotics when we have a true bacterial infection that requires them. Every little bit we do helps in this battle against the “super bugs.”