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Antibiotic Resistance
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/antibioticresistance.html

Antibiotic Resistance

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Basics

  • Summary
  • Start Here
  • Diagnosis and Tests
  • Prevention and Risk Factors
  • Treatments and Therapies

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Summary

What are antibiotics?

Antibiotics are medicines that treat bacterial infections in humans and animals. They work by killing the bacteria or making it hard for the bacteria to grow and multiply. When used properly, antibiotics can save lives. But there is a growing problem of antibiotic resistance.

What is antibiotic resistance?

Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria change and can resist the effects of an antibiotic. The bacteria are not killed, and they continue to grow. The infections these bacteria cause are called resistant infections. Resistant infections can be difficult, and sometimes impossible, to treat. In some cases, they can even be deadly.

Antibiotic resistance does not mean that your body is resistant to antibiotics.

There are many different types of resistant infections. They include MRSA and drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). If you get a resistant infection, you might need:

  • A long hospital stay
  • A long recovery
  • Follow-up visits with health care providers
  • Treatments that are expensive and may have severe side effects

Antibiotic resistance is one type of antimicrobial resistance. There are other types; viruses, fungi, and parasites can also become resistant to medicines.

How do bacteria become resistant to antibiotics?

Antibiotic resistance is a natural process that happens over time. To survive, bacteria can develop defense strategies against antibiotics. This happens through genetic changes in the bacteria. These resistant bacteria survive, grow, and spread.

Each time you take antibiotics, there is a risk that the bacteria will become resistant. So it is important to only take antibiotics when you really need them. They won't work on viral infections such as colds and the flu. And you don't need antibiotics for every bacterial infection. For example, you may not need them for some sinus and ear infections.

Who is more likely to develop an antibiotic-resistant infection?

Anyone can develop an antibiotic-resistant infection, but certain people may be at higher risk, including those who:

  • Have a weakened immune system from diseases such as HIV or from taking medicines that affect the immune system
  • Are getting medical care such as surgery and hospital stays
  • Take antibiotics for a long time
  • Are infants, especially if they were born prematurely
  • Are older adults

How can antibiotic resistance be prevented?

There will always be some antibiotic resistance, since it happens naturally. But you can help fight against antibiotic resistance by taking these steps:

  • Don't use antibiotics for viruses.
  • Don't pressure your health care provider to give you an antibiotic if they don't think you need one.
  • When you take antibiotics, follow the directions carefully.
  • Don't share your antibiotics with others.
  • Don't save antibiotics for later or use someone else's prescription.
  • Help prevent the spread of bacterial infections with good hygiene habits. These include washing your hands often and covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Start Here

  • About Antimicrobial Resistance (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • Antibiotic Use and Antimicrobial Resistance Facts (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Diagnosis and Tests

  • Antibiotic Sensitivity Test From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish

Prevention and Risk Factors

  • Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance (Food and Drug Administration)
  • Antimicrobial Resistance: Causes and How It Spreads (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • Controlling the Emergence and Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Treatments and Therapies

  • What Can Be Done about Antibiotic Resistance? (Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics)

Specifics

  • About Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • Antimicrobial Resistance (World Health Organization) Also in Spanish
  • Antimicrobial Resistance Threats From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)
  • Antimicrobial Resistance, Food, and Food Animals (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • Drug-Resistant Gonorrhea (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • Know When and How to Use Antibiotics, and When to Skip Them (Food and Drug Administration) Also in Spanish
  • Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) Basics (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Images

  • How Antibiotic Resistance Happens Infographic (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - PDF
  • How Antibiotic Resistance Spreads Infographic (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - PDF

Videos and Tutorials

  • Animation of Antimicrobial Resistance Video (Food and Drug Administration)
  • Antibiotics vs. Bacteria: Fighting the Resistance From the National Institutes of Health Video (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish

Statistics and Research

  • 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • Stamping Out Superbugs From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health) Also in Spanish
  • What Is Antibiotic Resistance? From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of General Medical Sciences)

Clinical Trials

  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Antibiotic Resistance From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)
  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

  • Article: Study of lug Operon, SCCmec Elements, Antimicrobial Resistance, MGEs, and STs...
  • Article: Towards Effective Helicobacter pylori Eradication: Emerging Therapies in the Wake of...
  • Article: New Quipazine Derivatives Active Against Drug-Resistant Oncogenic Helicobacter pylori Strains with...
  • Antibiotic Resistance -- see more articles

Reference Desk

  • Glossary (Antibiotics) (Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics)

Find an Expert

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Also in Spanish
  • Food and Drug Administration
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases From the National Institutes of Health

Children

  • Danger of Antibiotic Overuse (For Parents) Video (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Patient Handouts

  • Vancomycin-resistant enterococci - hospital (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Topic Image

Antibiotic Resistance

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

  • Vancomycin-resistant enterococci - hospital

Related Health Topics

  • Antibiotics
  • Bacterial Infections

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Antibiotic Resistance is the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

  • Leading Antimicrobial Drug-Resistant Diseases

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The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

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