A version of this commentary appeared in Maclean's

AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

At the beginning of the last century, illnesses due to bacterial infections ranked as the most common cause of death in Canada.  By the latter third of the century, the diagnosis, prevention and management of infectious diseases had advanced dramatically, raising hopes that many of these infections would be consigned to history. The dramatic improvements were due to many factors, but especially to the discovery of antibiotics.

Fast forward to today and we, again, find ourselves in a precarious position with respect to infectious diseases.  How serious is it?

Take for example, the case of a 46-year-old woman who sustained a fracture of her right thigh bone while vacationing internationally.  It was repaired locally and she returned to Canada after a one-week hospitalization. But infection soon followed.

Read the rest of the article at Maclean’s: http://www.macleans.ca/opinion/a-tsunami-of-antibiotic-resistance-is-coming-and-canada-must-take-charge/

March 2018


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