·    Have you ever heard the expressions “survival of the fittest” or “the strong will survive”?  Well, both statements are true about bacteria.  Bacteria know how to survive— even when they are attacked by strong antibiotics.   ·    Remember...antibiotics kill enough bacteria to control a person’s infection.  And, it’s the weak germs that get wiped out first.   Because no antibiotic can destroy every harmful germ in someone’s body, there are always some bacteria left.    (This is especially true if the person stops taking the antibiotic before the prescription is finished.)  And, it’s the strongest germs that survive!   ·    There are a number of ways that the “leftover”  bacteria can become resistant to an antibiotic: ·  They learn how to produce an enzyme that stops the drug from working. ·  The bacteria “mutate”, changing their outside structure.  This allows them to hide from the antibiotic—since the antibiotic doesn’t recognize them anymore. ·  By changing on the inside, the bacteria find a new way to produce their harmful toxins. ·    Unfortunately, that’s not the end of the story.   Bacteria that have become drug-resistant can share this information with other bacteria—teaching them how to fight the drugs, too.  This means that germs can learn how to fight an antibiotic before they are exposed to it! ·    But, wait...there’s more.  Bacteria can figure out how to fight several different antibiotics after being exposed to only one.  This means that a germ can become resistant to every antibiotic we have—by being exposed to only a few! ·    This process can be a quick one.  For example, it only took three years for the first bacteria to become resistant to penicillin.    ·    Taking an antibiotic when it’s not really necessary makes the problem worse because the drug kills lots of friendly bacteria instead of harmful germs.  Without these friendly bacteria, a person’s body is at risk of being “taken over” by bad bacteria. How Do “Bugs” Become Drug-Resistant? IN  THE KNOW PAGE 5 © 2001 In the Know, Inc. The following factors have contributed to the development of drug-resistant bacteria: ·    Using too many antibiotics. ·    Using antibiotics the wrong way— such as not finishing a prescription. ·    Giving antibiotics to livestock and poultry. Laugh... ...and Learn! Did you know that you can buy antibacterial soap, lotion, laundry detergent...even kitty   litter!  Many scientists say that this “fad” of making products antibacterial should stop because it is making drug- resistance worse. In biology class, the teacher was explaining that germs always work in large groups. The class clown piped up, "Well, that would explain then why no one ever gets just one measle!”