Australian superbug rates are soaring

Antibiotic-resistant superbugs are thriving in the general population, according to a new study by the University of Adelaide.

In the study, researchers analysed urine specimens collected from non-hospitalised patients at 29 health centres across Australia, and it was revealed that antibiotic multi-resistance (resistant against three classes of antibiotics) in bugs including Escherichia coli (E. coli), Klebsiella and Enterobacter has increased since 2008.

According to US medical research group, Mayo Clinic, antibiotic resistance occurs when medications stop being effective at fighting bacteria, often when antibiotics aren’t being taken responsibly, and may result in toxins entering the bloodstream, causing potentially serious infections and septicaemia (blood poisoning).

Antibiotic resistance in Australia is a serious health concern, and repeated and improper use of antibiotics increases the likelihood of potentially life-threatening infections. You can reduce the incidence of resistance by only taking antibiotics as prescribed, always completing a full course (to successfully kill all bacteria) and maintaining good hygieneat all times, according to Mayo Clinic.

Source: bodyandSoul