Antibiotic Webquest

Introduction: Have you ever looked at a sneeze in slow motion (at some point in your life, you
need to, but not this second)? Or, maybe you've grown cultures of bacteria taken from door
handles or toilet seats? If you have, then you've seen how surrounded we are by microbes ...
those tiny, unseen creatures that at times can make us miserably sick. If you haven't, you still
know how easy it is to get an infected cut if you don't wash it properly or catch a cold when your
little brother sneezes all over you. Bacteria are all around us, on us and in us too. Some bacteria
are helpful and even essential--like bacteria in our intestines that help us digest food. But others
are responsible for causing huge gaping wounds that won't heal, for spreading STI’s, or for
causing infections that can kill you. It all sounds so scary, but, what about antibiotics? Wasn't
penicillin the miracle drug that saved thousands and thousands of lives? The short answer is yes,
antibiotics are life-saving medications that, when used correctly, can speed us along to a rapid
recovery. But, here's the situation, some bacteria are now becoming resistant to antibiotics. What
does that mean? Well, that's what this WebQuest is about.

Task: Your task is to discover how antimicrobial resistance (AMR) develops and how AMR
currently affects our world. You will need to read current research, analyze current facts about
the topic and learn how a life-saving medicine like antibiotics can become ineffective in fighting
certain bacterial infections. Learn how and why AMR happens and what may happen if scientists
can't find a way to stop bacteria.

Part 1: Click here to take the pretest. How many did you get correct? A:

Part 2: Click here to find the answers to the following questions. Summarize each of the
answers into your OWN WORDS. DO NOT CUT AND PASTE YOUR ANSWERS.

1. What are bacteria and viruses?

A:Bacteria are a single celled organisms found all over inside and outside in a
human body. A: Viruses are microbes but they are smaller than bacteria and can’t
survive the outside of a body cell.
2. What kinds of infections are caused by viruses and should not be treated with antibiotics?
A: The kind of common of infection are the flu , colds, and most sore throats.
3. What is an antibiotic?
A: antimicrobial drugs that fight infections caused by bacteria in humans and
animals.
4. What is antibiotic resistance?
A: Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria develop the ability to defeat the drugs
designed to kill them.
5. Why should I be concerned about antibiotic resistance?
A:Antibiotic resistant bacteria can cause illnesses that were once easily treatable with
antibiotics to become untreatable, leading to dangerous infections.
6. Why are bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics?
A: Every time a person takes antibiotics, sensitive bacteria are killed, but resistant
bacteria are left to grow and multiply.
7. How do bacteria become resistant to antibiotics?
A: Some bacteria can “neutralize” an antibiotic by changing it in a way that makes
it harmless. Others have learned how to pump an antibiotic back outside of the
bacteria before it can do any harm.
8. How can I prevent antibiotic-resistant infections?
A:Ask your healthcare professional if there are steps you can take to feel better and
get symptomatic relief without using antibiotics and their is many more ways to
come to this.
9. How can healthcare providers help prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance?
A: Prescribing an antibiotic only when it is likely to benefit the patient and many
others.
10. Are antibacterial-containing products better for preventing the spread of infection? Does
their use add to the problem of resistance?
A:
11. Can antibiotic resistance develop from acne medication?
A:
12. Do probiotics have a role in preventing or treating drug resistance or drug-resistant
infections?
A:

Part 3: Click here to watch this video and then explain how antimicrobial resistance occurs.

A:

Part 4: What are the different viewpoints on antimicrobial resistance?

1. Describe the World Health Organization’s view on antimicrobial resistance. Click

here for resource.
A:
2. Describe the CDC’s view on antimicrobial resistance. Click here for resource.
A:
3. Describe science’s view on antimicrobial resistance. Click here for resource.
A:
4. Describe the consumer’s view on antimicrobial resistance? Click here and here
for resources.
A:
Part 5: Research an antibiotic controversy of your choice. (ex. Does the use of antibiotics in
livestock influence AMR? Does the widespread use of antibiotics contribute to AMR? Could
essential oils be the new antibiotics? What is the post-antibiotic era?)

Your question:

Your answer: