The immune system of man and animals is a complex and highly sensitive system that defends the body against a variety of environmental attacks. At the slightest provocation, the immune system begins a series of defensive actions aimed at destroying the offender and repairing any damage that may have occurred.
In most cases the immune system is very effective in fighting off infecting organisms. However, in highly contaminated environments, or if the immune system has been suppressed or compromised, it may not be sufficient to successfully defeat the offending organism.
In an environment (such as a chicken house) that is highly contaminated with bacteria, viruses and other germs, or an environment that is suppressive to the immune system, (when chemicals have been added to diets, where crowding occurs, or in the presence of specific viruses), the immune system may require assistance in successfully repelling the attacking organism. In such cases, if the offending organisms are bacteria, antibiotics are used which directly attack bacteria and kill them.
In both man and animals, antibiotics are used to treat diseases caused by bacteria. However, antibiotics have been abused and are often prescribed for minor bacterial infections, and sometimes even for viral infections, against which antibiotics are ineffective. Antibiotics are more commonly used with animals as additives to animal feed at low (subtherapeutic) levels. This keeps the animals healthy and growing. In this instance, antibiotics are referred to as - growth promotion antibiotics.
Unfortunately, bacteria learn how to avoid being killed by a specific antibiotic, and develop resistance to that, as well as similar antibiotics. When antibiotic-resistant bacteria invade man or another animal, causing a disease, it becomes very difficult, expensive, or even impossible to effectively treat the disease.
Fortunately, it is now known that if antibiotic-resistant bacteria are deprived of the antibiotic for an extended period of time, the bacteria will eventually revert to being sensitive, and will no longer be resistant. It is now widely understood that eliminating the unnecessary use of antibiotics can greatly inhibit the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
In most cases the immune system is very effective in fighting off infecting organisms. However, in highly contaminated environments, or if the immune system has been suppressed or compromised, it may not be sufficient to successfully defeat the offending organism.
In an environment (such as a chicken house) that is highly contaminated with bacteria, viruses and other germs, or an environment that is suppressive to the immune system, (when chemicals have been added to diets, where crowding occurs, or in the presence of specific viruses), the immune system may require assistance in successfully repelling the attacking organism. In such cases, if the offending organisms are bacteria, antibiotics are used which directly attack bacteria and kill them.
In both man and animals, antibiotics are used to treat diseases caused by bacteria. However, antibiotics have been abused and are often prescribed for minor bacterial infections, and sometimes even for viral infections, against which antibiotics are ineffective. Antibiotics are more commonly used with animals as additives to animal feed at low (subtherapeutic) levels. This keeps the animals healthy and growing. In this instance, antibiotics are referred to as - growth promotion antibiotics.
Unfortunately, bacteria learn how to avoid being killed by a specific antibiotic, and develop resistance to that, as well as similar antibiotics. When antibiotic-resistant bacteria invade man or another animal, causing a disease, it becomes very difficult, expensive, or even impossible to effectively treat the disease.
Fortunately, it is now known that if antibiotic-resistant bacteria are deprived of the antibiotic for an extended period of time, the bacteria will eventually revert to being sensitive, and will no longer be resistant. It is now widely understood that eliminating the unnecessary use of antibiotics can greatly inhibit the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.