Resistance to medication is an all too common theme in today’s medicinally inclined society. Many people take medications for a variety of reasons or illnesses. Here are some explanations for resistance in both bacterial and viral infections.

1. Medication. People often think that a prescription medication is the way to get better. At the first sign of an infection or illness people visit the doctor to receive a prescription. Not everything has a prescribed medication that will help kill it. People must complete the allotted amount as prescribed by their doctor. Bacteria and viruses replicate at a fast rate and have very little as far as correcting and checking what was replicated. If a medication kills some bacteria, because it is mutating and changing, strains that are not killed are typically stronger and more resistant to the medication. Also, taking the wrong medication for an illness can lead to resistance.

2. Vaccines. These have saved many lives. A small amount of a virus is injected so people develop a natural immunity to the virus. With flu viruses, the shot given is based on probability of what will most likely be the strain. Virus mutation is fast and trying to target the right virus at the right time is a difficult science. The H1N1 virus is a prime example of the unexpected occurring. Vaccines for the H1N1 virus are in development and will be available later. Some people may find that what works one year will not work the next and this is due to mutation and resistance to already existing medications.

3. Anti-bacterial products. These are great for killing bacteria that people come in contact with. The only issue becomes that the ones that survive are stronger and are left to replicate. Selection favors the survivor and so by killing the weaker competition, people are aiding in selecting for stronger more resistant strains of bacteria. Good hygiene is a must and washing your hands regularly will often do as much good as an anti-bacterial product.

Stronger, more resistant strains of viruses and bacteria make treatment important. If you are sick, still see a doctor, but also realize that medication is not always the way that is needed to get better. Understanding what you are up against and taking care of yourself are valuable in a time when illness can occur.

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