Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial resistance happens when microorganisms (such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites) change when they are exposed to antimicrobial drugs (such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials, and anthelmintics). Microorganisms that develop antimicrobial resistance are sometimes referred to as “superbugs”.
As a result, the medicines become ineffective and infections persist in the body, increasing the risk of spread to others.
Additional Informaiton
Q&A: What is antimicrobial resistance?
Quiz: How much do you know about antibiotic resistance?
Antimicrobial Resistance: Causes infographic
Antimicrobial Resistance: What the Agriculture Sector Can Do infographic
World Antibiotic Awareness Week 2017
Seek advice from a qualified health professional before taking antibiotics
The World Health Organization will join the global community to commemorate World Antibiotics Awareness Week from 13-19 November 2017. The theme this year is “Seek advice from a qualified health professional before taking antibiotics”. Antibiotics are medicines used to prevent and treat bacterial infections in humans and animals.
Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health and development today, and is rising at alarming rates around the world. Infections such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and gonorrhea are becoming sometimes impossible to treat as antibiotics become less effective. For instance, the bacteria that cause gonorrhea are evolving rapidly to evade new classes of antibiotics to treat the infection. This puts women particularly at greater risk of developing complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility, as well as an increased risk of HIV.
WHO calls on everyone to think twice, seek advice and always consult a qualified health professional before taking antibiotics.
More on World Antibiotic Awareness Week
Quiz: How much do you know about antibiotic resistance?
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Status of antimicrobial resistance education and awareness in the WHO African Region 2017-2021
Improving AMR awareness and understanding and promoting evidence driven behavioural change througheffective communication, education and training are critical to tackling antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), a global health crisis that disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). AMR awareness and education interventions are key if we are to influence appropriate antimicrobial use and consumption inpeople, communities and healthcare institutions.
