The increasing emergence of superbugs is a direct consequence of antibiotic misuse. Misuse of an antibiotic results in incomplete elimination of bacterial infections, which, in turn, leads to survival of strains of bacteria that have evolved to resist that antibiotic. Superbugs can be dangerous because of the limited number of treatment options available. Among some of the more common superbugs are methicillin-resistant Staph aureus (MRSA) and multiple-drug or extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB and XDR-TB).
Why are super bugs a problem: The gene, NDM-1, which is apparently widespread in parts of India, has been identified in just three U.S. patients, all of whom had received treatment in India and recovered. But the gene’s ability to affect different bacteria and make them resistant to many medications marks a worrying development in the fight against infectious diseases, which can mutate to defeat humans’ antibiotic arsenal.

1. Don’t demand a prescription of antibiotics from your doctor, unless he or she has diagnosed your affliction as a bacterial infection that requires it.
2. Take all of the antibiotics as prescribed, even if the symptoms subside.
3. Never share your antibiotics with friends or family, even if you are 100% sure that they have the same infection. Let your doctor do the exam and write a new prescription.