In this blog post, we will continue looking at infection in I/GCSE Biology. Let's get started! 🧫

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

It's commonly asked in I/GCSE Biology too!

• MRSA is resistant to most antibiotics which treat infections
• Patients with MRSA have existing illness

• 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

• 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:

1. "Microbial Dark Age", https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/GUq6zL4kOGyzcLIYDMkK6q0do_bLcwnNFo1Kzy6Mv4ea1mTzeESR_zVQTNNuyNHfWKU5EankRa0YUZmroEZ5NIxaw33PuWKklviRIBXyxIMISlJTApczkp28-xFhMlJL6C_bDlxvxtUPcA
2. "How to Help Prevent MRSA", https://www.germinator.com/images/p/168/how-to-prevent-mrsa-from-spreading-at-home-480.jpg
3. "Superbugs Threaten US Hospital Patients", https://greyareanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/CDCgraphic-a_1185px.jpg
4. "A History of Success", https://www.cdc.gov/eis/images/eis-timeline.png

And we're done with this topic! Well Done!

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Drafted by Alyssa (Biology)