15.18: Putting It Together- Theory of Evolution
- Page ID
- 43745
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Let’s return to our discussion of evolving bacteria from the beginning of the module. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that based on current evidence, gonorrhea may soon be untreatable; there are no new treatments or vaccinations in development for this bacteria. Within the United States this remain the second most common sexually transmitted disease. Almost a third of the US cases are drug resistant. MRSA remains a growing problem in our healthcare system. Staph bacteria are the most common source of health-care related infections in the United States. Of MRSA infections, nearly 14% result in death.
Think about It
Based on this lesson you now understand that evolution is an inevitable process. Is there any hope of stopping antibiotic resistance from developing?
[practice-area rows=”4″][/practice-area]
[reveal-answer q=”880848″]See Our Thoughts[/reveal-answer]
[hidden-answer a=”880848″]Yes and no. The average person can take a number of steps to minimize selective pressures on parasites. Without these pressures, mutations are less likely to spread in the population.
[/hidden-answer]
Is there anything you can do?
[practice-area rows=”4″][/practice-area]
[reveal-answer q=”558353″]See Our Thoughts[/reveal-answer]
[hidden-answer a=”558353″]
- Take the full course of prescribed antibiotics
- Don’t save or share leftover antibiotics
- Don’t ask for antibiotics if your doctor does not recommend them
- Practice good hygiene and get recommended vaccinations
- Minimize your use of antibacterial products
[/hidden-answer]
To learn more about the topic, you can visit the following websites:
- WHO—Antimicrobial Resistance
- CDC—Antibiotic Resistance Threats
- CDC—Mission Critical: Preventing Antibiotic Resistance
- FDA—Antibacterial Soap
Contributors and Attributions
- Authored by: Shelli Carter and Lumen Learning. Provided by: Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution

