Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria and fungi grow the capacity to overcome antibiotics designed to kill them. It shows that the germs are not killed and multiply rapidly. Each year, more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant illnesses occur worldwide. According to the CDC’s 2019 Antibiotic Resistance (AR) Threats Report, more than 35,000 people will die.

When you add Clostridium difficile, a bacterium that isn’t usually resistant but can cause serious diarrhea and is connected to antibiotic use, the total number of infections and deaths in the United States approaches 3 million infections 48,000 deaths.

Antibiotic resistance can affect people at any age and the healthcare, veterinary, and agriculture industries. Therefore, this is one of the world’s most pressing public health issues.

Bacteria and fungi do not need to be antibiotic-resistant to be hazardous. However, even a single drug resistance can cause major difficulties. Consider the following scenario:

• Antibiotic-resistant infections that need second-and third-line medicines can harm patients by causing major side effects like organ failure and delaying therapy and recovery for months.

• Many medical advances, such as cancer therapy, joint replacements, organ transplants and the treatment of chronic disorders like diabetes, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis, are dependent on the ability to combat infections with antibiotics.

In some situations, there are no treatment options for these infections. We will lose the ability to treat infections and address these public health problems if antibiotics lose their power.

Summary Key Facts

• Antibiotic resistance is now one of the most difficult problems for world health, food security, and development.

• Antibiotic resistance can impact anyone, age, or country.

• As antibiotics become less efficient, many infections, such as pneumonia, TB, gonorrhea, and salmonellosis are becoming more difficult to treat.

• Antibiotic resistance increases death, longer hospitalization, and higher medical expenses.