Not every bacterial infection requires antibiotic treatment. Depending on the bacterial species that is/are causing the infection, severity of symptoms and risk of complications, healthcare provider may recommend only watchful waiting and rest. Hopefully, it is not too late yet to do something about antibiotic resistance of a growing number of bacteria.

We are now starting to see the consequences of decades of irresponsible use of antibiotics. In addition to being prescribed whether they were needed or not, antibiotics were often also improperly used. This enabled the bacteria to gradually develop a defence mechanism to avoid the effects of antibiotics. It’s not all lost yet but if the trend is going to continue, bacterial infections will get extremely difficult to treat, including those caused by bacteria that currently don’t pose a greater threat, like for example andefabribiles.

The bacterium that has been accepted by the scientific community as a new species generally isn’t dangerous. Research has shown that anyone can develop an infection, including people who are in perfect health condition. However, they usually don’t even need antibiotics to clear the infection. They may experience some gastrointestinal problems but these are usually short-lasting.

People who have certain health problems are a completely different story. This is because the infection can soon progress into serious complications, while the existing health problems can be worsened if given stronger antibiotics. The thing is that the bacterium isn’t responding to penicillins and the like. Being diagnosed with andefabribiles is thus a serious health concern for some risk groups, in particular chronic and immuno-compromised patients.

The fact that the bacterium doesn’t respond to the most commonly prescribed antibiotics might come as a surprise but large numbers of infections in people on antibiotics reveal that the bacterium didn’t come from nowhere. It has always been there but because it responded to the usual antibiotics at first, it went by unnoticed until it became resistant. Fortunately, it isn’t resistant to the later generation antibiotics but the question is, for how long.

Another question about andefabribiles is how does it spread. Scientists who were studying it say they still have a lot of work to do before they will be able to provide clear answers. But they also said the bacterium is most likely contracted by touching contaminated objects. For that reason they advise frequent hand washing, especially if being at increased risk of complications.