Is antibiotic resistance a threat?
Key facts. Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development today. Antibiotic resistance can affect anyone, of any age, in any country. Antibiotic resistance occurs naturally, but misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals is accelerating the process.
Can antibiotic resistant bacteria spread?
prescribed to treat infections. However, bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics as a natural, adaptive reaction. Antibiotic- resistant bacteria can then spread from the treated patient to other persons. and they can therefore carry antibiotic- resistant bacteria.
Why is Amr considered a global threat?
Why is antimicrobial resistance a global concern? The emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens that have acquired new resistance mechanisms, leading to antimicrobial resistance, continues to threaten our ability to treat common infections.
What happens if you get an antibiotic resistant infection?
When bacteria become resistant, the original antibiotic can no longer kill them. These germs can grow and spread. They can cause infections that are hard to treat. Sometimes they can even spread the resistance to other bacteria that they meet.
What can be done to avoid or prevent drug resistance?
There are many ways that drug-resistant infections can be prevented: immunization, safe food preparation, handwashing, and using antibiotics as directed and only when necessary. In addition, preventing infections also prevents the spread of resistant bacteria.
How can antibiotic resistant bacteria spread from continent to continent?
Bacteria can spread from one person to another through direct contacts between people. Transmission can also occur indirectly, for example when someone coughs. If a person contaminates a surface (such as a doorknob) with bacteria, these bacteria can be transferred to another person who touches the surface.