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Experts have warned that Britain is facing a huge increase in antibiotic-resistant blood poisoning caused by the bacterium E.coli.
The Independent reports that the rise in antibiotic resistance poses as much of a risk to public health as the emergence of new diseases or a flu pandemic.
Professor Peter Hawky, a clinical microbiologist and chair of the Government's antibiotic-resistance working group, warned that the "slow but insidious growth" of resistant organisms was threatening to turn common infections into untreatable diseases.
An estimated 25,000 people die each year in the European Union from antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections and those resistant to antibiotics have risen from one per cent at the beginning of the century to 10 per cent.
The rise in E.coli blood poisoning is thought to be linked to the ageing of the population. E.coli is a common cause of urinary-tract infections and can sometimes cause wound infections after surgery or injury. Although these are usually considered minor conditions, they would become life-threatening if they became untreatable.
And, because E.coli is present in everyone, it could become a much bigger problem than the superbug MRSA.
Dame Sally Davies, the Government's chief medical officer, has promised £500,000 to fund research into the area. Part of the problem is that drug companies have already lost interest in developing new antibiotics because they are not commercially viable as they are usually taken for just a few days, unlike heart drugs which can be taken every day for life.
At present, there is a one in 10 chance that treatment of an E.coli infection will fail because the bug is resistant to antibiotics. But as the numbers of resistant infections rises, the will be more pressure to use more powerful antibiotics, called carbapenems, which are the strongest ones available - and resistance to them is already emerging.
Professor Hawkey told the Independent: "There are only so many antibiotics available and as we lose them it becomes more and more difficult to replace them."
How often do you take antibiotics? Let us know below...
Click on the image below to find out which foods boost your immune system...
- Exercise regularly<p> Regular moderate exercise helps stimulate the lymphatic system which ensures the efficient removal of bodily toxins; in addition, exercise like cycling, jogging, walking or swimming can help you relax and reduces stress, which is also known to weaken your immunity. A study found that brisk walking for at least 20 minutes a day helped reduce chances of catching a cold. In addition to exercising, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding high blood pressure are also beneficial for your immunity.</p> <div> </div>
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- Wash your hands<p> So simple yet so effective, regular hand washing does play a role in reducing the spread of bacteria during cold and flu season (so it's important to keep it up even if your hands are <a href="http://lifestyle.aol.co.uk/2011/12/16/winter-skin-bargain-buys/" target="_self">dry and flaky from winter winds</a>). A study found that soap and water (and alcohol-based hand sanitisers) reduced the germ count on health care workers' hands by 58 per cent after 30 seconds of washing. Just note that while hand sanitiser does kill many bugs, it isn't very effective against norovirus, that nasty winter vomiting bug.</p> <p> </p> <div> </div>
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- Get some rays<p> Scientists have found that vitamin D can be crucial in boosting the immune system, particularly in helping the body to fight off serious infections. Get a daily dose from the sun (even on a cloudy day) or in vitamin D-rich foods like eggs, salmon and mackerel.</p>
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- Stop smoking<p> <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt; ">If you're still not convinced it's time to stop smoking, cigarettes can also hinder your immunity because they affect the health of blood vessels, making it harder for the body to fight off infections. In addition, smoking puts you at a higher risk for respiratory infections.</span></p>
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- Sleep well<p> The immune system is more vulnerable when the body is sleep-deprived since a good night's snooze allows time for our organs to replenish themselves. Aim for eight hours a night. Quality of sleep is also thought to be important for helping the immune system thrive, so reducing alcohol intake may help you achieve an optimal night of rest.</p>
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