By definition, superbugs are bacteria which are developing resistance to the most commonly prescribed antibiotic treatments. Doctor Nancy Van Vessem, M.D., the chief medical officer at Capital Health Plan in Tallahassee, Florida says when bacteria develop resistance “genes”, they can quickly develop resistance to many other antibiotics and therefore can become difficult or even impossible to treat with antibiotics. She says, these same bacterial infections were a great source of illness and death prior to the discovery of antibiotics in the 1940s.

The main cause of the problem, Dr. Van Vessem says, is the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. When an antibiotic is taken it can kill the bacteria that are sensitive to it, leaving those that are not sensitive which then multiply and spread. She says, a clear example of misuse over the years is the use of antibiotics for viral conditions such as colds and flu. She says, both of those infections are caused by viruses so the antibiotics were not helpful and are potentially harmful.

Because of the increase in superbugs, many physicians are changing their prescribing practices. For wounds, Dr. Van Vessem says, a culture should be taken to see if bacteria are present, and if so, what antibiotics would be helpful.

She says, it takes about 3 days to get these results back. Also, don’t expect your physician to prescribe an antibiotic for a respiratory infection unless there are clear signs of a bacterial infection which is uncommon in an otherwise healthy person.