Superbugs and You

Health officials around the world are sounding the alarm on a highly infectious bacteria causing extensively drug-resistant infections. Shigella, which causes the infection known as shigellosis, is a genus of bacteria that results in gastrointestinal distress that ranges from uncomfortable to deadly, in adults and children. Global surveillance efforts on Shigella have identified outbreaks of strains that are extensively drug resistant across the UK, US, and parts of Europe. How is the world dealing with this new superbug?

Antimicrobials are the cornerstone of modern medicine, and this is especially true for patients with cystic fibrosis. People with CF rely on antibiotics for recurring and persistent infections, and with regular use, antibiotics become less and less effective in fighting these infections. Pseudomonas aeroginosa, the most common culprit in CF infections, is especially notorious for its ability to adapt to and evade antibiotics. Hear from a patient advocate, clinician, and policy leader to better understand the unique challenges that superbugs pose for people battling cystic fibrosis.