By Natalie Zarowny
nzarowny@cbs4qc.com
Lots of folks are just hearing about this, but many experts said the super bug crisis, has been building for decades.
"We've been talking about this for a long time," said infection control specialist at Genesis Health System, Lisa Caffery.
Caffery said the public needs to know what's going on.
Basically, there are more and more new strains of bacteria that antibiotics can't fight off.
"What's happened over the years is as we've increased the use of them, either appropriately or inappropriately, we've seen resistance develop in different organisms," said Caffery.
That means people getting seriously ill, with no way of getting better.
"Once you have a resistant organism, you generally have that for your entire life," said Caffery.
Antibiotics came about in the late 1920s when penicillin was discovered.
According to Caffery, antibiotics are still an important medicinal tool.
But over the past 20 or 30 years, they've been misused and overused.
"Antibiotics are not appropriate for any kind of viral illness," said Caffery.
Caffery said antibiotics should only be used for bacterial infections, like some types of pneumonia.
Signs of a bacterial infection include fever and pain, an elevated white blood cell count, redness at the sight of infection, swelling, and drainage.
But always have your doctor confirm your symptoms.
"Ask your physician is it really necessary that I take this antibiotic? And then they should come back and tell you yes it is for these reasons," said Caffery.
As for knowledge about super bugs and antibiotics, Quad Citians seem to be in the know.
"You should only use them if they're needed," said one local woman.
"I think they're kind of one of the things that are quickly thrown at you for an instant cure," said another woman.
"They're so quick to prescribe you with medication and then kick you out of there," said one man.
