Why are people so worried about bacteria?

Question

I mean we've lived with them for millions of years and we havn't gone extinct yet. The bacteria aren't as harmful as the media makes them look. And if we try to sanitize everything that just makes the bacteria problem worse because then we don't build up an immunity to them and they build up an immunity to out antibacterial cleaners. Yes we should sanitize some things like doctors before they go into surgury or if we are extreamly dirty. But we also need bacteria, even harmful bacteria, because e-coli helps us digest our food, and harmful bacteria makes us stronger. So all I'm saying is people don't have to worry about bacteria so much, we've lived with them for millions of years.

yes but in response to the first answer, like I said if we try to preserve ourselfs we won't build up and immunity to those bacteria in the future, and they will build up an immunity to the antibacterial.

in response to the second answer I didn't say bacteria were all good, I said we should only use antibiotics when we are sick or going into surgery.

to response with the fifth answer, i think its the fifth, the reason bacteria mutates is because we abuse anti-biotics

yes harmful bacteria do make you stronger because if you do use antibiotics like you are supposed to when you are sick, you will build up the immunity to them.

Answer 1

true all of it! BUT

in the near future when global warming begins to really set in, bacteria and mosquitos and the like will begin festering even moreso and end up bringing more sickness and bad times

so whats wrong in a little preservation now while we still can

edit: the bacteria im talking about is not something humans could ever adapt to without experiencing massive losses of population it is better to be guarded against it at a certain point, maybe not now, but when the heat starts up we'll have no choice, but its more of a lose/lose situation that humans are going to have to face sooner or later

Answer 2

People use antibacterial soap and abuse antibiotics (take them when they don't need them) because they don't realize the implications. You study biology, so you know why bacteria can be helpful and how our bodies prevent infection. But most people are afraid of dying, and a few doctors just want to get whining patients out of the office. . .you know the deal.

It's not true that we, as a species, have lived with bacteria for millions of years. However, we did evolve with them already in the environment. We wouldn't be here if we hadn't evolved an effective protective barrier against infection. I think people today are more aware of and consequently afraid of their own mortality, thanks in at least some part to Hollywood's idolization of the young, fit and skinny person as the ideal.

Massive education is needed in order to halt antibiotic abuse. As far as harmful bacteria making us stronger: only if they don't kill us! If you're talking about evolution, that would take many generation of humans in order to evolve resistance. But it's fine with me - there are too many people in the world, anyway.

Your point is well taken. Unfortunately, I already agreed with you. The trouble is getting others to understand.

Answer 3

Some of your statements are incorrect, but your question seems well put. If you haven't had the opportunity to have a staph infection with a antibiotic-resistant strain, try it, and I think you will sing a different song. Or be unfortunate enough to get the resistant TB, or wait for some new outbreak of a disease like the Plague ( with 30 to 80 percent mortality.) What you say may be true for mankind as a group unit, but is not true for individuals.

Answer 4

In simple terms, bacteria makes people sick when they invade the body in numbers too great to be defeated by the immune system, and sometimes kills people for no good reason. Just because there hasn't been an epidemic like the bubonic plague recently doesn't mean bacteria are all good. Have a nice day. :-)

Answer 5

so people that make antibacterial stuff can make obscene profits at our expense. Follow the money.

Answer 6

because the bacteria can mutate and cause serious viruses