Antibiotic Resistance: Why It Matters and What You Can Do

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve mechanisms to survive antibiotic treatment. It is one of the most urgent global health threats, estimated to cause 1.27 million deaths directly and contributing to 5 million deaths annually.

Resistance develops through natural selection: bacteria with resistance genes survive antibiotic exposure and reproduce. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics — particularly for viral infections, using incomplete courses, and agricultural overuse — accelerates this process dramatically.

What individuals can do: only take antibiotics when prescribed by a doctor, complete the full course even if you feel better, never share antibiotics, never use leftover antibiotics, and get recommended vaccinations to prevent bacterial infections.

Healthcare systems combat resistance through antibiotic stewardship programs, rapid diagnostic testing, infection control, surveillance, and development of new antibiotics and alternative therapies (phage therapy, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies). Global coordination is essential to tackle this transnational threat.

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