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Preventing Bacteria Growth
Name: Sierra
Status: Student
Grade: 6-8
Location: N/A
Country: United States
Date: Fall 2009
Question:
How can bacteria be prevented from growing on living tissues?
Replies:
Sierra,
Bacteria live on and in your body now -- most are beneficial, and a
few are harmful. All of the bacteria together are called the "normal
flora". Bacteria serve important functions in digestion and also in
helping your immune system.
Some people think bacteria are "bad" -- but most bacteria are helpful
or benign. Despite that most bacteria are not "bad", some people buy
anti-bacterial products and take antibiotics every time they get sick.
These products kill all kinds of bacteria, even the good ones. One
problem with overuse or misuse of such products is that they can cause
bacteria to become resistant to drugs and other treatments. A very
serious problem is hospitals are so called "super-bugs" that are
resistant to drugs and are very hard to treat. Another problem is that
the "normal flora" help your body to defeat harmful infections -- the
"good bacteria" compete with the "bad" ones, and help prevent the
harmful ones from getting established. Over-using antibacterial
products can actually help the harmful bacteria by eliminating their
competition.
That said, there are many ways to kill bacteria on or in your body. On
your skin, the easiest way is to wash with hot, soapy water. Peroxide,
iodine, betadine, antibiotic ointment, and many other topical
treatment can also help reduce/kill/remove bacteria. Inside your body
it's a little harder. A healthy immune system is the best defense, but
sometimes drugs (antibiotics) are necessary to stop dangerous
infections. In rare cases, even surgery is used to remove infected
tissue.
Hope this helps,
Burr
It can't! Nor do you necessarily want to! Only 1% of known bacteria
are disease-causing
(pathogenic). Most either do no harm, or provide benefits. The only
way to prevent bacteria
is to be born by C-section and placed immediately into a sterile room
for the rest of your life. And
come to think of it, I'm not sure even that would prevent it.
vanhoeck
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Update: June 2012
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