Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria become immune to drugs designed to destroy them. This type of antimicrobial resistance is increasing worldwide, which is concerning as dangerous infections such as foodborne illness, pneumonia and tuberculosis are becoming harder to treat.
While it might seem like something patients leave up to doctors and other medical experts, patients also have a critical role in countering this concerning trend. The first step to countering the resistance is by understanding how it develops.
Why Does Antibiotic Resistance Happen?
Because of their reputation for effectively treating bacterial infections, antibiotics are a popular go-to prescription for many illnesses, such as strep throat and urinary tract infections.
Unfortunately, antibiotics are sometimes used when they are not needed. For example, antibiotics will not affect a sickness caused by a virus—but they are sometimes prescribed or taken anyway.
The frequency of taking antibiotics is largely responsible for how bacteria respond to them. The more that bacteria encounter antibiotics, the more likely they are to evolve to survive, changing into a new version that is not susceptible to the specific antibiotic medication encountered. The more types of antibiotics that bacteria encounter, the more the bacteria’s resistance increases. Additionally, antibiotics eliminate good bacteria that live in our body and help protect us from infections.
The Dangers of Antibiotic Resistance
When antibiotic-resistant bacteria are encountered, the consequences are dire. Instead of common antibiotics, doctors must rely on medications that are more expensive or may have higher rates of side effects to treat infections. Also, difficult-to-treat infections last longer and may even require lengthy and costly hospital stays. In some cases, infections that cannot be treated with antibiotics can be fatal.
While antibiotics help patients feel better and recover after they are sick, they’re also often prescribed before specific medical procedures that are more likely to cause infections or impact the patient’s immune system when they might be more vulnerable to infection. When antibiotics are used this way—a practice known as antibiotic prophylaxis—they can help fight infections before they develop. Antibiotic prophylaxis is often used before:
- Certain chemotherapies or other medications that impact the immune system
- Solid organ transplants and bone marrow transplants
- Some dental procedures performed on patients who have histories of certain cardiac conditions that increase their risk of infection
- Surgical procedures where normal protective barriers like the skin are compromised
Antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat to the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis. Resistant bacteria can lead to breakthrough infections, jeopardizing surgical outcomes and limiting our ability to use certain therapies that impact the immune system.
Steps to Prevent Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Everyone can effectively take action to reduce the escalation of antibiotic resistance. Good hygiene is one of the simplest strategies to address the issue before it has a chance to begin. To minimize the risk of developing an infection:
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- Handle food safely by cooking it thoroughly and storing it at safe temperatures.
- Stay up to date with your vaccinations.
- Wash your hands thoroughly, especially after using the bathroom and before eating.
If you do develop an infection:
- Do not ask for or expect antibiotics when you see a doctor for minor infections like a cold.
- Use antibiotics only when prescribed by your doctor.
- Take antibiotics exactly as directed by your doctor.
- Do not share antibiotics with anyone else.
More to Read
- How to Know if You’re Having an Allergic Reaction to Antibiotics
- UTIs in Kids: What You Need to Know About a Common Condition
- Penicillin Allergy? Here Are the Signs to Know
- Urinary Tract Infections: Prevention is Key
Medically reviewed by Emily Heil, PharmD, MS, FIDP, BCIDP, AAHIVP.