Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant germs are difficult, and sometimes impossible, to treat. During US Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW) on November 18-24, 2024, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is sharing 5 things you should know about antibiotic resistance and the importance of appropriate antibiotic use.
1. Antibiotic Resistance Is A Leading Public Health Threat
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), antibiotic resistance is a leading global public health threat, directly responsible for an estimated 1.3 million deaths globally in 2019 alone. In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur each year, and more than 35,000 people die as a result. When Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is included, the number jumps to 48,000 US deaths per year.
2. Healthy Habits Help Protect against Antibiotic Resistance
Although no one can completely avoid getting an infection, healthy habits can help protect you from getting infected and from spreading germs. Wash your hands, cover your coughs and sneezes, get plenty of sleep, and make sure everyone in your family is up to date on all recommended vaccines, including an annual influenza (flu) vaccine and an updated COVID-19 vaccine.
If you do get sick, stay home to avoid spreading germs to others. If your symptoms include a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, and muscle aches, the illness may be caused by a virus—which means an antibiotic will not help. Learn how to recognize a respiratory virus infection and what to do if you have one.
3. Antibiotics Should Only Be Used To Treat Bacterial Infections, Not Viruses
Antibiotics are not always the answer when you are sick. Antibiotics are effective against some bacterial infections, such as strep throat, whooping cough, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). However, antibiotics are not effective against viruses, such as those that cause colds, flu, bronchitis, or runny noses.
Antimicrobial resistance happens when germs, like bacteria and fungi, develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. Once resistance develops to one antibiotic, different antibiotics, which can be less effective or have more side effects, are needed for treatment. Sometimes bacteria can become resistant to all available antibiotics, leaving patients with infections caused by these bacteria with no options for therapy.
4. Antibiotic Resistance Can Affect People of All Ages
Infections caused by resistant germs impact people of all ages and backgrounds. In many cases, these infections require extended hospital stays, additional follow-up doctor visits, and treatments that may be costly and have significant side effects. Resistant bacteria can be spread to other people either in the healthcare setting or at home.
5. Any Time Antibiotics Are Used, They Can Lead to Resistance
Antibiotics can save lives and are critical tools for treating common and serious bacterial infections. But it is important to use antibiotics only when needed and only as prescribed. Any time antibiotics are used, they can contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance. The human body is full of bacteria, so when you take an antibiotic there is a good chance that the “good” bacteria in your gut will become more resistant to that antibiotic. Some people will not have consequences from this, but others will develop subsequent resistant infections or pass resistant bugs on to family members. Antibiotics can also have side effects. Some, like mild rashes, stomach upset, diarrhea, and yeast infections, are simply inconvenient and annoying. Others, such as C. diff infection and severe skin rashes, can be serious and may need medical attention.
Improving how antibiotics are prescribed and used can help keep patients healthy, protect against serious health outcomes, and ensure these life-saving drugs are available for future generations.
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