If you’re sick, you might turn to antibiotics or other medicines to help you feel better. But what happens when those medicines stop working? That’s happening more often today because of something called antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Antimicrobials are different from a lot of other medications. Most medicines only affect the person taking them. For example, if you take blood pressure medication, it only affects you.
Antimicrobials aren’t like that. "Antimicrobials are unique in that how people use them can impact other people," said Kellie Fortier, an infectious disease pharmacist with Banner Health. Antimicrobial resistance can put other people at risk of more difficult-to-treat infections.
What is antimicrobial resistance (AMR)?
"Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is when bacteria, viruses or fungi no longer respond to the usual medications used to treat them," Dr. Fortier said. These resistant bacteria and other germs keep growing and spreading, making it harder to treat infections.
AMR affects people of all ages. It leads to:
- Longer illnesses
- Longer hospital stays
- Fewer treatment options
Being infected with a resistant organism means a lot of life-saving medicines aren’t as effective. It’s a global health issue.
Why is antimicrobial resistance a problem for your health?
Antimicrobial resistance can impact your everyday health in serious ways:
- Infections that are harder to treat: Common infections like urinary tract infections (UTIs), pneumonia and skin and soft tissue infections are becoming harder to cure. If you get one of these infections, you may need stronger medicines which can cause more side effects. You may be sick for longer.
- More serious complications: Even a minor infection could become serious or life-threatening. "AMR infections are harder to treat. Resistant infections are linked with a higher risk of death, more complications and longer hospital stays," Fortier said.
- Limited treatment options: "There aren’t as many options for treating resistant infections," Dr. Fortier said. The number of treatments being developed is low as well.
What causes antimicrobial resistance?
AMR happens naturally over time but certain things are making it worse.
- Antibiotic overuse: "Misuse or overuse of antimicrobials are the main drivers of resistance," Dr. Fortier said. Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them — like for colds or viral infections — can make resistance worse.
- Not finishing your medication: When you stop taking a prescription early, the bacteria that still remain can adapt and become resistant.
- Using antibiotics in animals and agriculture: Antibiotics used in farm animals and crops can lead to drug-resistant germs that spread to people.
- Global travel and spread: Resistant bacteria don’t stay in one place — they can spread among countries through travel and food supply chains.
How can you help prevent AMR?
You can take simple steps to help slow down antimicrobial resistance:
- Only take antimicrobials if a health care provider recommends them: "Antibiotics don’t work on viral infections. Sinus infections, chest colds, sore throat and other upper respiratory infections are often viral," Dr. Fortier said.
- Ask your provider if you need antibiotics: Your provider can determine what treatment will work best for you. "Tests like a throat swab in a person with a sore throat can help distinguish viral infections from bacterial infections," Dr. Fortier said.
- Follow prescription instructions carefully: "If your health care provider thinks your infection is bacterial and prescribes you an antibiotic, take it exactly as prescribed. Don’t save the remaining antibiotics for later use," Dr. Fortier said. Don’t stop taking your antibiotics if you feel better. You need to take them to kill the germs that are still in your system.
You can also take steps to reduce your risk of getting sick in the first place, so you don’t need antibiotics or antimicrobials:
- Get recommended vaccines: Vaccinations can help prevent infections that may require antibiotics.
- Handle food safely: Keeping hot food hot and cold food cold can lower your risk of food poisoning.
- Practice good hygiene: Handwashing can stop germs from spreading and keep you from getting sick. "Good hand hygiene is important to help reduce the spread of germs. Effective hand washing is one of the easiest and best ways to avoid getting sick," Dr. Fortier said.
- If you get sick, stay home: That way, you won’t get other people sick.
When should you talk to a health care provider?
If you’re not sure whether you need antibiotics, talk to a provider. Many illnesses, like the flu, don’t need antibiotics. Your provider can help you decide on the right treatment.
Get medical care if:
- Your symptoms get worse or don’t improve after a few days
- You have a high fever or trouble breathing
- You’re not sure if your illness needs medical attention
How can the health care system help?
Health care facilities can help reduce antimicrobial resistance by not using antibiotics when they aren’t needed, using the shortest effective duration when antibiotics are needed and taking steps to protect patients from drug-resistant infections.
At Banner Health, our providers follow antibiotic stewardship guidelines to make sure antibiotics are only used when they’re truly necessary. We also use strict infection prevention protocols to keep patients safe in our clinics and hospitals.
The bottom line
Antimicrobial resistance is a major health issue but you can help slow it down. By using antibiotics wisely, getting vaccinated and preventing infections in the first place, you’re protecting your health — and the health of the people around you.
If you have questions about antibiotics or antimicrobial resistance, talk to your health care provider or an expert at Banner Health.
