Superbugs: How to avoid these growing killers

E very year, drug-resistant bacteria and fungi known as “superbugs” infect 2 million Americans — and kill up to 162,000 of those patients.

Sadly, that toll could soon skyrocket. Microorganisms like bacteria and fungi build resistance to medical treatments over time. Each time someone uses an antimicrobial — think prescription antibiotics or antibacterial soaps — those microorganisms have a chance to evolve into a drug-resistant superbug.

Superbugs are evolving faster than we’re creating new treatments. It’s up to everyday Americans to prevent this looming public health crisis.

Here are four steps to fight the spread of these deadly infections. 1. Avoid antibacterial products Soap and body wash that contain “antibacterial” ingredients sound healthy. But they aren’t. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that antibacterial soaps are no better at preventing illness than regular soap and water.

Antibacterial cleaning products, meanwhile, leave behind chemicals designed to wipe out bacteria. However, these chemicals aren’t 100 percent effective. The surviving bacteria may evolve to become resistant to antimicrobials. 2. Take antibiotics appropriately When prescribed antibiotics, patients should always complete the full course of treatment, even if they feel better halfway through. Stopping treatment early allows some bacteria to live on and evolve.

Patients should also only take antibiotics when absolutely necessary. Thirty percent of antibiotics prescribed in the United States are unnecessary, according to a study in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 3. Get vaccinated It’s crucial that people stay up-todate on their shots. A single vaccine prevents the same infections as a whole regimen of antibiotics. Consider the bacteria responsible for many ear and sinus infections, Streptococcus pneumoniae. If every child in the world was vaccinated for that bacteria, the World Health Organization estimates it would prevent 11 million days of antibiotic use every year.

4. Tell Congress to support the DISARM Act

In June, Senators Johnny Isakson, a Georgia Republican, and Bob Casey, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, introduced the Developing an Innovative Strategy for Antimicrobial Resistance, or DISARM, Act. The bipartisan bill would incentivize doctors and hospitals to use newer antibiotics, instead of older less effective ones.

By taking small steps to prevent antibiotic resistance, everyone can help save millions of lives from the scourge of superbugs.

Greg Frank is the director of infectious disease policy at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, the world’s largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations.