Antibiotic Resistance and the Rise of Superbugs

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It's Okay To Be Smart is written and hosted by Joe Hanson, Ph.D
Follow me on Twitter/Instagram: @DrJoeHanson @okaytobesmart
Email me: itsokaytobesmart AT gmail DOT com
Facebook: / itsokaytobesmart
For more awesome science, check out: www.itsokaytobesmart.com
Produced by PBS Digital Studios: / pbsdigitalstudios
Joe Hanson - Creator/Host/Writer
Joe Nicolosi - Director
Amanda Fox - Producer, Spotzen Inc
Kate Eads - Associate Producer
Andrew Matthews - Editing/Motion Graphics/Animation
Katie Graham - Director of Photography
John Knudsen - Gaffer
Dalton Allen - Post-Production Intern
Theme music:
"Ouroboros" by Kevin MacLeod
Other music via APM
Stock images from Shutterstock, stock footage from Videoblocks
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[@icannotchoose]

1. Work up a good immune system by getting down and dirty, playing with animals, frolicking through fields of flowers. 2. Don't use drug and antibiotics for the common cold or a minor headache.

[@ThePureLegend95]

Drama_Llama_5000 3. Take every vaccine that is out there. :P

[@Neuralatrophy]

Drama_Llama_5000 I was going to say something along the same lines myself. The same methods work to prevent allergies as well.

[@megand1603]

Lol my parents helped me out in the long run after all

[@acceptmyfriendrequest6480]

SnappyK9 i have autisum

[@Dylangordon2012]

Oliver Herbert Cool cool.

[@BinkieMcFartnuggets]

The Empire Strikes Bacteria was the best one. I loved the part when Luke got his arm amputated due to gangrene.

[@paradoxica424]

"We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology." ~Carl Sagan

[@soniasallo8660]

Joe: Wash your hands Me in 2020: I do every half hour

[@chayocobain]

HAHAHAHAH

[@thebigenderqueen1586]

*Me: terrified because I’m literally a walking paper cut* Also: the bees at my grandma’s house became immune to the bee spray she was using

[@The_Mission_Master]

bees be like: i see no god up here. *other then me* !

[@sabaali457]

was SUCH a great video!!!!

[@LionKingInHeart]

Just started watching you. You're great. Keep up the good work! :)

[@OxyWorgon]

Human resilience ranges from being able to survive plane crashes.....to death by flowers. WTF!

[@marlonprodigy9751]

Wat up mann awrOooo

[@OxyWorgon]

Marz-O-Slipo humans suck lol

[@marlonprodigy9751]

But aliens swallow

[@OxyWorgon]

Marz-O-Slipo OOOOOOOHHHHH

[@marlonprodigy9751]

Lol😂😂😏

[@Twosocks42]

Heck, there is a species of bacteria now that has found a way to use a certain antibiotic as _food_. Yep, throwing that antibiotic (I want to say it is vancomyacin) at it just gives it a snack. o_o

[@horaciogovea7433]

Twosocks42 well that's impressive ! But I think he forgot to say that we are using so much antibiotics that they can be found in the oceans where the bacterias can adapt before they even have contact with our immune system

[@Twosocks42]

horacio govea I hadn't heard about that. That's definitely scary.

[@horaciogovea7433]

yup (i think you can relate to my source i heard that from a belgian university teacher)

[@SohamBhattacharya3105]

+derpybanana C diff infections are being treated with fecal transplants. You should look into that.

[@SohamBhattacharya3105]

derpybanana I'm sorry man. Hope you get well soon. Good luck!

[@sealiosshorts]

Had to watch this for an assignment, Awesome video!

[@Spellbound7]

Time to get nanite research and development into high gear.

[@GeorgePerakis]

Spell Bound If that's a Planetside reference then I very much agree.

[@1234kalmar]

Spell Bound *Que paranoid people swinging a hammer, ready to smash progress right in the kneecap*

[@GeorgePerakis]

TronII Lorule Nah.

[@makdavian3567]

Spell Bound That means more Indians and Chinese ! yay..chaonima

[@cortster12]

Spell Bound Actually, we really do need to get molecular machine research into high gear. It could could absolutely anything. Once they get small enough you could just get millions of virus sized machines and destroy all the bad germs.

[@johngriller4997]

Haha this channel has become fun. I luvv it! Keep it up guys.

[@lottie5555]

Joe, I watched this video in my science class cause we were learning about anti-bodies. After that lesson I thought "huh, this guys funny and good at science might go home and watched some more." Since then I've been obsessed with your videos and my grades have raised loads in science and it's important for my future because I want to be an animal behaviourist. Thanks joe stay AWESOME!!!

[@jimmyyyyy686]

Mannnnnn that was sooooooo professional so glad had to watch it 😍❤️😍🤍😍❤️🤍🇬🇪

[@jiffyb333]

Shared this with my Human Genetics professor as we are learning about Gene Transfer and Antibiotic Resistance, she quoted your video in class today. Thought it was cool.

[@angelycajacksonhammond8097]

*dying* at the bacterial conjugation rendezvous in the seedy motel! Great video, this microbiologist thanks you!

[@nowyouknowwithmoiz]

Loved it

[@jonnycampbell7091]

Another excellent video! Problem is unless everyone just stopped using them for the minor issues there will still be resistant strains developing. It's an all or nothing issue...

[@LisaThinksALot]

I would totally wear a shirt covered with the print in the background around 3:10

[@DanielMakingAVideo]

I like this channel

[@JL897139]

How about nanotechnology as a catch-all infectious agents killer?

[@Dr_Bille]

T3MP0 That's great, go develop that and collect your nobel prize

[@JL897139]

I just thought about that because I read it in a Michio Kaku book, I was curious if they were developing anything related to that, I don't need your sarcasm

[@TheEpicSamuel]

T3MP0 I think they are actually developing a new way to destroy bacteria that is similar to what you are saying.

[@SentientMeatbag]

T3MP0 But who will go into the shrunken submarine? And will they get out in time before it starts growing again? Real reply: I believe that 'nanotechnology' is more a buzzword right now, than that it is solid science. Most nanotechnology is still in development, very expensive and actually pretty useless in a real human body. At least for now.

[@Zerepzerreitug]

T3MP0 I would guess that life would find a way around that too. Which does not mean that it is not a great idea. But I have the feeling any particular nanobot would have a limited time of effectiveness before we're forced to invent a new one due to resistance.

[@unixbash]

Great video, as always!

[@Eternal_Skys]

Gotta love the title reference to Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back! 😁

[@VMARCHIVE]

I subbed!

[@mark-yn8po]

Yeah science!

[@NiraSader]

that's the scary side of evolution ^^

[@MegaMGstudios]

You clearly haven't seen honeybadgers

[@mrcoder7327]

Evolution does has a bad and good side

[@toitoihilali318]

Evolution is a necessary evil

[@empty2757]

but he gave us microphages

[@ArianExtist]

My limited contribution to this vid is simply to express my appreciation of the host. Joe, you are very attractive not just because of your mass. I feel like you walk the line of kids edu and adult pop science easy peasy.

[@miaflores622]

Well, One Cut And I'm Dead.

[@Canada2760]

Life always finds a way. Fascinating isn't it?

[@alex-fs9yt]

I laughed at the Thug Life bacterium

[@al7bndgsh706]

Omg he laughed! I personally cried do to the overwhelming suspense.

[@bencorgi1032]

"It takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!" - The Red Queen (Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll)

[@ericpeterson2960]

I had fungal pneumonia a few years ago. Was the worst pain in my like. I still have a scar in my left lung from it.

[@aman_chandravanshi]

YOU just made me more curious ..........

[@KaanTechCrazy]

This is the second time today I m writing this. Drug companies... Nice going...

[@allieatwood]

Staying healthy seems like such a delicate balance between fighting off and preventing infections, and building immune systems and protecting our microbiomes. As an early childhood educator I try to allow my students to explore the world and get dirty even if I have a little explaining to do with their parents at the end of the day. In college I was told that exposure to certain irritants at an early age can help build immunity against it. I would like to explore this concept further. My philosophy is that as long as the children are safe, there is no harm (and actually a lot of learning) in getting dirty.

[@daniellegrimes1398]

If I would like to go into further reading about this subject what books would you recommend?

[@TrainYourBrain464]

Good video ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😎

[@GameTesterBootCamp]

You guys didn't link to the "Gross Science" video in the description. :-(

[@skyfirewolf7527]

nice

[@caspianharms5410]

Kurtsgezakts has made a video about mackro phages by the way.

[@strider_hiryu850]

I let my immune system take care of my infections

[@MegaMGstudios]

Angus The Beast i only use medicine when my immune system can't do the job

[@jfdhsci]

Florey and Chain!!!

[@ninaannie696]

We still have herbs, some like cistus work really good. When I had problem with gums infection helped me a lot..., or colloidal silver. They're not resistant to that.

[@chauklaus2693]

please make a video about our immune system . As a biological highschool student, i am curious. Like how it works actually? Thanks, really like your videos :)

[@Zeldarw104]

Vancomycin, amiright??! 🤛💪💪 That's some strong stuff!! 👀

[@noorahallaoui8200]

0:33 killed my life 😂😂

[@generic_flower]

I got an ear pit infection last year, too bad the bacteria was resistant to antibiotics .-. What should've been something that lasted a week turned into something that lasted almost my entire summer break and 2 surgeries

[@Lokojojo]

Hey joe can you make a video about seizure please😃

[@xnevanx]

We've known this would eventually happen and yet we still haven't done anything to stop it. What's taking so long, why do we have to wait for something destructive to happen in order to act? This is where money should be spent, not on other bullshit

[@IbanBoi99]

I just straight up refuse to take antibiotics unless the infection is some serious shit

[@HaelstormGaming]

u ded.

[@renandavidsoriaahumada6093]

Im in the same bus dude just wet my head and get drunk to let the fever do its job

[@juniorsoto7703]

GeneraL_LOL that's the point

[@aditisrivastava9226]

"But hey, at least you've got purpose." This guy sure knows how to burn.

[@olivergriffiths3585]

You guys should watch the 'resistance' documentary on Netflix. It's great, and scary

[@titantheeliteboi9508]

Hey guys I've had a blocked nose for like the last 5 months or more so yeah I dunno what's going to happen

[@TheOswald42]

dangerous papercuts so I know when it's time to sink or swim, that the face inside is hearing me right "underneath my skin"

[@cookiecat3625]

Oswald Rayleigh DUDE I WAS JUST LISTENING TO THAT SONG. Linkin park rocks

[@bobbysantiago5659]

2:59 TTG reference???

[@shukurenai4802]

How about superbug VS bacteriophage

[@juker92]

I got a question, is there any possible cause for a global earthquake? I mean, any way the tectonic plates move all at the same time or one after the other in a short period of time so it creates a massive global earthquake? Like a chain reaction

[@JamesDentMusic]

At 0:39 it should have been drug life (not in an illegal way)

[@drrice1123]

No it should be BUG life as in super bug

[@Yzyenthusiast]

+The Bot lol

[@MelonLord8]

No bug drug life

[@twentytwentyoneishvkmemory7430]

yeah... I got an infection that hurt my ear, I took 3 pills a day, and now I'm just fine

[@dodid0]

What's the music starting at 0:57???

[@Based_Selene]

i had broncitis a few months ago and luckily no superbugs developed

[@billmalcolm4291]

I just want to say one word to you. Just one word. "Nanobots."

[@RayTech70]

Yeah, I agree with you-- but we are barely scratching the surface of nanomedicine... nanobots are a way off.

[@ManintheArmor]

I prefer "Nanomachines, son." But that's fine too.

[@ishitagupta6637]

But putting the nanobots inside could cause bacteria to enter our systems and here we go again.

[@hidayatmusroni]

Bill Malcolm phages are better and it already exist in nature. Just got to find in sewer.

[@alphaamoeba]

And another words Grey Goo But theres another Word: Bacteriophages

[@sadeedahmed8792]

make a video on water. piease!

[@talayafrancois652]

I was dead at 0:33

[@chonwarren9941]

Ok I absolutely love this show first off one of my favorite shows on KZbin along with extra credits and a few others that touch on my interests and science has always been one of those interests along with gaming and anime and manga and anyways i loved the ending to this episode you implied with the way you sad your signature outro that humans curiosity is one of our survival tools and I agree one hundred percent on that and the way you present yourself with yourself and the way you deliver the facts to your facial expression and your body language keep the watcher interested and wanting to learn and you don't treat your viewers like thier stupid but you explain things in such a way that most who watch can understand what's going on with nary a problem you my friend are a wonderful teacher I have learned much from you thank you for what you do and please keep teaching and spreading the love of science through the masses

[@Celrador]

Chon Warren SENTENCE STRUCTURE AND PUNCTUATION! USE IT! I agree though. He has a great way of explaining things.

[@Kami-Sama197]

Unfortunately I don't take antibiotics for common flu, i have only taken it when i had gotten typhoid when i was young.

[@1OutOf8Billion]

What about biofilms?

[@Guru_1092]

Dysentery. The bane of the Oregon trail.

[@IsThisLossE]

good thing the last time i got sick enough to even want to go to the doctor was eight years ago

[@entropyzero5588]

The only time I ever went to a doctor when sick was to get a certificate so I could skip an exam…

[@ralph7349]

4th Can u do a video about counting?

[@SHansen82]

Thanks to super-bugs or to overuse of antibiotics?

[@zelekejewels4820]

Super bugs really scare me like a lot😢

[@harrisonlee8198]

All of this from a papercut... *claps*

[@Sashi_Mee]

We need hand desanitization stations.

[@zanepemberton3598]

WHO THOUGHT THAT POOP CAN BE USED IN MEDICINE -This Guy

[@MisterCF8]

Any antibiotic resistant metastatic tumors?

[@chesseswar]

Question: Even if antibiotics don't work on said superbugs, can our immune system battle the majority of these superbugs? My guess is yes, because that is probably how we survived for thousands of years before the invention of antibiotics with penicillin... But on the flip side, these superbugs might have evolved so much that our immune system can't keep up anymore due to us not needing it... until now. Can anyone give me the actual answer (if there is one)? Another question: if these bacteria are becoming anti-antibiotic, wouldn't that mean that we should use biotic? JKJKJKJKJKJ LOLOL :P

[@noahogata8420]

Not very effectively. If our immune systems could combat superbugs effectively, we wouldn't need drugs.

[@chesseswar]

Thanks Noah Ogata and ♠ OldBoy ♠ I am taking down this comment so more people won't have to waste their time answering my stupid question

[@RainAngel111]

Pranav Eswaran The answer is: that by and large, our species will almost always be able to develop some kind of resistance to a disease. The cases where we don't are when we go extinct. It's happened to a few species before. In general though, if you infect a large population with a disease, some resistance will show up in 3-5 generations (often more). The problem is, in those first few generations, lots of people will die. We will survive as a species eventually, but our individual bodies don't usually make up their own kinds of resistance.

[@xoqvuz]

Pranav Eswaran Some vitamins & minerals work well, & some plant substances. Apparently, we'd need higher doses of Vitamins C & D for this.

[@ThePureLegend95]

Pranav Eswaran Excuse me, but do you know why our age expectancy was less then half back in the days?

[@nrcuber8269]

The time when you get older and know all of video of all of channal question

[@undecidedcauliflower1719]

I have had scarlet fever and I had to get antibiotics and me friend once had a superbug

[@dio2889]

When i read the title and looked at the thumbnail i imagined a huge cockroach with superpowers

[@thomasedwardable]

HI! I am Winter. I am 6. How come we use poo to make medicine?

[@358itachi]

XDR strain of _Mycobacterium tuberculosis_ laughing in our lungs every time we cough.

[@themaster12548]

What about blue crab blood?

[@xXNightAngelXx01]

What is the music name use in the thug life scene?

[@yogumba5259]

Yay positivity

[@galactorthegreat1401]

0:33 Bug Life!

[@mimf9808]

So like those lice that are becoming immune?

[@HDApex]

It's the also more use of antibiotics on cattle feed to fatten livestock. Farms are providing the perfect environment to create antibiotic resistant strains, not just our use of antibacterial drugs and soap. Definitely right on how antibiotic resistance propagate; conjugation, mutation, transformation, transduction and other elements like transposons.

[@ayaneagano6059]

I can’t believe that I’ve never heard of this before! But strangely enough, I actually predicted something like this happening in my story where most urban people have been genetically modified to the point where it is extremely and exceedingly rare for them to get sick. However, if any of the Modified go to countryside where a lot of Unmodified people live, even a common cold for the Modified could easily mass-kill a large amount of Unmodified. At a time before the story begun, an epidemic had killed about 1 million Unmodified people, causing the government to enact its “16-year plan” to build clinics to give everyone access to modification and require babies to be modified against disease. The clinics can be built at a faster pace than in the real world currently because of nanotechnology, but deploying it to everyone and the 4.5 billion Unmodified to actually accept the genetic modification not just for themselves but for any babies they have is a bit difficult and causes a lot of intense debate in the country, especially because of one of the adverse, before unseen effects of a Modified Population. 1.5 Billion people have already been modified, and the effects on the environment has been surprising. Because of the proliferation of modified plants that create a carbon sink in cities to stop warming, other plants that are unmodified in areas around it are starting to evolve, and sometimes in strange ways. Some of these modified plants have also unintentionally become invasive species, leading to the country to fall even deeper into the hole of genetic modification to attempt to fix the problem. Off of that tangent, it’s surprising that I could also come up with something of the equivalent of superbugs without ever knowing about them... and knowing that I was right in _real life_ too is pretty scary...

[@pustota7254]

Hm

[@zanderbygott3641]

Looks like I'm never leaving my house again.

[@buildbanner7976]

Are you a Greene now joe?

[@afctaylor12]

I still think people who get infections and other illness are one that don't expose them self to . I work last 5 or 7 year with open wounds on my hand arm covered in cut and scrapes. Just one of those things when horticulturist. But i knew women who nearly lost a hand because of a rose thorn. So i think its more about playing in dirt and less about keeping clean to keep you well

[@gabglez3403]

What about phages?

[@neogaming1289]

who do we have the urge to itch

[@scabiniful]

i think this video would have benefited from a quick overview of natural selection, because anyone who doesn't understand the concept might develop a misconception of how drug-resistant bacteria come about. For example, with the gazelle-cheetah analogy it would be better to explain that if the cheetah evolves to become faster, the gazelle will evolve to become faster because the slow ones will die off and only those with the genetic mutations to make them faster will survive and reproduce-otherwise, from the way it's worded, "the gazelles have to speed up", someone might think the gazelles just learn to run faster.

[@unscriptedrex9018]

Hey the immune system! It's our forever backup or our first defence!

[@stes9559]

Why not using bacteria phages on super bugs

[@Hortonscakes]

Oregon Trail ftw!

[@papnlilly]

At the end of the episode he says "were smart as well, go wash your hands" Didnt he say earlier that washing your hands could strengthen a superbug? Im seriously confused, is bleach okay to shower in?

[@richmail]

luv ur humor XD, and no, bleach is NOT safe to shower in, you can swollow it, get in ur eyes, or penertrate ur skin

[@e42ygamingchannel61]

Superbugs : im gonna kill all human Phages : *Hold my DNA*

[@joypanchal5753]

nice one