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Superbugs capable of killing millions of people are quietly evolving

The silent existence of superbugs that could kill millions


Not long ago, the entire world went through a real nightmare called COVID-19. That invisible virus turned the planet into a horror movie, where everyone had to hide at home, wear masks everywhere, and constantly worry about becoming the next victim. COVID-19 took the lives of millions around the globe, disrupted economies, shook up daily life, and made us realize that the world is more fragile than we thought.


What would you say if I told you that the COVID disaster was just the tip of the iceberg, because humanity has collectively been working on creating a superbug capable of killing hundreds of millions of people? It sounds like science fiction, but it's happening right now.


Most of us are unintentionally contributing to the creation of bacteria so powerful that they resist all medicines. Yes, we are “cultivating” a superbug.


Here’s something even scarier. Bacteria are some of the oldest, most resilient life forms on this planet, and we’re giving them the chance to continue thriving thousands of times more effectively than humans.


What would you say if I told you that humanity is collectively striving to create a superbug capable of killing hundreds of millions of people?

A Few Words Before the Main Content (If You Haven't Read My Other Articles

In this "Happy Body" series, to avoid empty theories, I will try to share real-life experiences from myself or those around me, while incorporating scientific health information. Sections marked with a ">" are additional information that expands on the topic, and it's up to you whether or not you want to read them.


At the end of each article, there will be a "Pharmacist's Perspective" section. This part contains knowledge that I've personally compiled. It may be a bit lengthy or hard to understand, but it's usually information that your doctor doesn't have time to explain to you.



The story of antibiotic resistance and the "Silent Villain"

I have a friend from university. Her father was a very healthy man, always taking care of his family and living a disciplined life. But one day, he developed a severe infection and had to be hospitalized. Initially, the doctor prescribed antibiotics, hoping for a quick recovery. Everyone believed antibiotics would help him recover, as usual.


But after several days, his condition didn’t improve. The doctors tried a few different antibiotics, but each attempt failed. Then, one day, the doctor called the family in and explained that he had contracted a type of super-resistant bacteria. This meant that the available medicines no longer had any effect. The bacteria had become too "stubborn," refusing to submit to any antibiotics.



Desperately, my friend reached out to me, hoping to find a newly researched antibiotic that might save her father. I was devastated that, after all my research, I couldn’t find anything that could offer hope. Watching her family agonize in helplessness, seeing their once-strong father weaken day by day, was heartbreaking. The true villain wasn’t the infection but antibiotic-resistant bacteria—the enemy that seemed to be winning the battle where modern medicine appeared to be losing ground.


During that time, my friend’s mother cried herself to sleep every night, overwhelmed by guilt after the doctor explained that years of antibiotic overuse had unintentionally enabled these bacteria to evolve and become "immune" to treatment. Sadly, she had always been the one to dutifully go to the pharmacy and give antibiotics to her husband for every little cough.

she had always been the one to dutifully go to the pharmacy and give antibiotics to her husband for every little cough.

Pharmacist's Perspective: Antibiotics - Friend or Hidden Enemy?

Allow me to clarify the role of this “silent villain.” Imagine facing an army of bacteria, and each time you overuse antibiotics—even for a minor cold—you’re training them to become stronger, more resistant. This is a process many of us unknowingly engage in every day.


Bacteria are microscopic but incredibly intelligent. Most are harmless and even beneficial to our health. However, some types can cause deadly diseases. Initially, antibiotics effectively wipe out most harmful bacteria. But here’s the concern: some bacteria survive after exposure to antibiotics, gradually developing the ability to "defeat" these drugs. They continually adapt, evolve, and find ways to protect themselves against the strongest medications we use.


Antibiotics are a brilliant invention in medicine. They act like an elite force, attacking bacteria by disrupting their vital processes. Some antibiotics prevent bacteria from reproducing DNA, slowing their growth and making it easier for our immune system to kill them. Others directly break down the bacteria’s protective membrane, akin to breaking through an enemy's armor and letting it self-destruct. Antibiotics quickly kill most susceptible bacteria, leaving a small group that our immune system can then eliminate.


However, as with any battle, if you deploy your elite force too often, the enemy will find ways to resist. This is how some bacteria have evolved. They develop mechanisms to block antibiotics and evenhave "pumps" to expel the antibiotics from their cells before any harm can occur. These drug-resistant bacteria have become a severe threat to public health.


And that’s when your heroic soldiers turn their backs and align with the enemy. Instead of protecting you, they become skilled "trainers" for your foes. Yet, you innocently continue using these "traitors" excessively, trusting they remain loyal to you.

And you still naively use a lot of these 'traitors,' believing that they remain completely loyal to you


A Sobering Thought, Isn’t It?


Human beings have short memories. We’ve forgotten the horrors of the pre-antibiotic era. Today, we treat this powerful medicine as a commodity rather than the revolutionary scientific achievement it once was.


This has led to a sad contrast: hundreds of millions of people still lack access to antibiotics in poor countries, while in other parts of the world, antibiotics are prescribed too easily and used recklessly, leading to resistance.


My friend, antibiotics should be your last resort, not something to turn to every time a cold bothers you.


 

Above are the insights and stories about the battle against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. How do you use antibiotics? I would deeply appreciate it if you’d leave a comment sharing your experience and help me spread this information to raise awareness.



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