Recent medical trends provide additional evidence for why even younger and healthier people should consider purchasing life insurance policies to ensure long-term financial stability for their families.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 2 million people in the United States become infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria each year. At least 23,000 people die each year as a direct result of these infections. Antibiotic resistance infections lead to longer hospital stays and more expensive treatments, putting a significant strain on our healthcare system.
Infections caused by resistant bacteria are far too common, according to Dr. Tom Frieden, Director of the Centers for Disease Control. Furthermore, the loss of effective antibiotics will erode the ability to fight infections, particularly secondary infections that occur in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and organ transplantation. As a result, using antibiotics to treat viral infections is ineffective and may result in future antibiotic-resistant infections.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), a so-called “superbug” that is resistant to many conventional antibiotics, is another common problem in hospitals and other institutions. Most infections in the community cause what appears to be a spider bite on the skin. To the touch, the area can be painful and swollen. Fevers may accompany a skin infection. Sharing razors, and towels, and even touching the infected area can spread the infection. MRSA can cause bloodstream infections and pneumonia.
Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae, or CRE, is a much more complex bacteria than MRSA. This gram-negative bacillus was not found in the United States prior to the year 2000. This bacteria is normally found in our digestive system, but if it enters the wrong organ, such as the bloodstream or bladder, it can cause an infection that is resistant to many antibiotics. CRE infections are extremely dangerous and can be fatal. Given the unexpected tragedies that can happen even when people go to the hospital for minor procedures, it’s always best to be prepared with the right life insurance policy.