Answer :
Final answer:
The use of antibiotics for viral infections, misuse in livestock, and on small abrasions are key factors in the development of resistant microbial strains. Microbial resistance arises from the selection of resistant bacteria that survive antibiotic exposure and multiply.
Explanation:
Factors contributing to resistant microbial strains include the use of antibiotics for viral infections, which are not affected by antibiotics, leading to unnecessary exposure of microbes to these drugs. The use of antibiotics in livestock is another contributing factor, where antibiotics are added to animal feed in low doses, promoting the development of resistance and transferring resistant bacteria to humans. Additionally, the misuse of antibiotics, such as using neosporin on small abrasions, can contribute to resistance, as it exposes bacteria to antibiotics when it might not be necessary.
Microbial resistance is a consequence of the natural selection process where, after being exposed to antibiotics, only the resistant bacteria survive and reproduce. The resulting increase in the proportion of resistant forms over non-resistant ones poses a significant health threat. The use of antibiotics should be judicious and only when necessary to combat this issue.
