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In this blog post, we will continue looking at infection in I/GCSE Biology. Let's get started! 🧫
Antibiotic resistance
It's very very important in I/GCSE Biology, and you can also link to natural selection when studying this! 😇
- Exactly every new bacterium is the same as the last one (it reproduces from)
- Sometimes Bacteria mutate and are produced differently from the others
Mutation may result in Bacteria being resistant to the antibiotics
- When antibiotic is used, non-resistant bacteria are killed, but some resistant bacteria remain
- Resistant bacteria survive and reproduce
- Continued use of antibiotic increases number of resistant bacteria
- Should always complete a course of antibiotic, even if you start to feel better
- Otherwise there is more chance of resistant bacteria developing
👇 Look at the diagram below to have a quick summary! 👇
Superbugs
It's commonly asked in I/GCSE Biology too!
- MRSA is resistant to most antibiotics which treat infections
- Patients with MRSA have existing illness
Preventing more superbugs
- Important to not overuse antibiotics
- Antibiotics not to treat non-serious infections e.g. sore throat
- Antibiotics prescribed only for serious disease
- Increased use of antibiotics may result in them not working when you need them too
Changing Virus
- Flu/influenza lasts normally between 1-2 weeks
- Flu virus ➡️ produces new strands and people can’t be immune to it
- Flu epidemic ➡️ outbreak of flu affecting thousands in a country
- Pandemic Flu ➡️ flu spreading rapidly around many countries e.g. swine flu
- Antiviral drug
References:
- "Microbial Dark Age", https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/GUq6zL4kOGyzcLIYDMkK6q0do_bLcwnNFo1Kzy6Mv4ea1mTzeESR_zVQTNNuyNHfWKU5EankRa0YUZmroEZ5NIxaw33PuWKklviRIBXyxIMISlJTApczkp28-xFhMlJL6C_bDlxvxtUPcA
- "How to Help Prevent MRSA", https://www.germinator.com/images/p/168/how-to-prevent-mrsa-from-spreading-at-home-480.jpg
- "Superbugs Threaten US Hospital Patients", https://greyareanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/CDCgraphic-a_1185px.jpg
- "A History of Success", https://www.cdc.gov/eis/images/eis-timeline.png
And we're done with this topic! Well Done!
Drafted by Alyssa (Biology)