Antibiotics are essential in the treatment of infections and illnesses. However, consistent overuse of antibiotics has become a global crisis. Defaulting to antibiotics for viral infections such as colds and flu (which are not affected by antibiotics) can make us resistant to the medication. If a bacterial infection occurs which requires antibiotics, it may not be treated effectively due to the bacteria becoming resistant through repeated exposure to antibiotics. This common practice of antibiotic overuse causes life-threatening situations on a daily basis.

In addition, studies have shown that antibiotics, when overused in childhood, can create more issues for us as adults. In fact, according to a recent report published in the United Kingdom, by 2050 antibiotic resistance will have killed 300 million people; the annual global death toll reaching 10 million.

In early June, hospitals, food producers, professional medical societies and restaurant chains met with the Obama administration to discuss the crisis over antibiotic overuse. According to The White House, at least 23,000 die each year out of the 2 million patients who become infected with drug resistant bacteria.