Though the specific microbes killed by the antibiotics are gone, the problem is resistant varieties and mutations have worked around the antibiotics and these are on the increase. The spectacular life of the antibiotics may prove problematic. According to Paul Bateman, Executive Director of The Silver Institute in Washington, D.C., the action of silver is different. Silver is not disease specific, but structure specific. On the other hand, cells with protective walls, such as all mammalian cells, block action by silver.
Silver acts more like a general antiseptic than an antibiotic, which have single targets.
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.