Once the bacteria can block an antibiotic from attacking its target membrane, it becomes resistant, whereas once the silver attacks the membrane of bacteria, the bacteria have no latitude to maneuver. Silver has long been on the medical scene. Over one hundred years ago, dilute silver nitrate was applied to newborns' eyes that virtually eliminated diseases causing blindness in millions of children caused by exposure to venereal disease during birth. Today, silver is a significant partner in sanitation from households to hospitals. For example, silver sulfadiazine has become the treatment of choice for burn wounds where its powerful antibacterial action allows wound areas to heal unimpeded by invading bacteria requiring no pain-relieving drug prior to dressing changes.
Silver also helps sanitize catheters.
Silver is the coating of choice on catheters because silver basically inhibits all bacteria. Also, decades of clinical experience have shown electrically driven silver ions rapidly enhance the regeneration of normal human structures destroyed by episodes of severe wounding. In a period of days or weeks, with regular changes of a silver-coated dressing that covers the severe wound, regeneration of the original structure proceeds unimpeded by inactivating bacteria in the wound area, until full regeneration of original function is complete. Success has been achieved in promoting rapid bone growth in cases where bone has not healed for long periods. Essentially, any product or system subject to microbial invasion finds advantageous applications of silver.