Antibiotic resistance

What are antibiotics?

Antibiotics are life-saving medicines used to treat bacterial infections. They work by attacking bacteria – for example, by destroying the cell wall or blocking their reproduction. Penicillin was the first antibiotic, and many more have been developed since then.

Important: Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections. They have no effect on viral illnesses such as the common cold or flu. You can read more about antibiotics here.

What does antibiotic resistance mean?

Antibiotic resistance means that bacteria have developed a resistance to antibiotics. Medicines that normally kill bacteria or inhibit their growth no longer work, or only have a limited effect, against resistant bacteria.

Humans have contributed significantly to this development, as antibiotics are often overused or misused. Both of these factors increase the risk of resistant bacteria emerging and spreading.

How does resistance develop?

The ability of bacteria to resist antibiotics is a natural phenomenon. Various mechanisms are involved, including:

• Genetic mutation: Changes in the genetic material can occur as bacteria multiply. As a result, some bacteria develop new strategies that make them insensitive (resistant) to certain antibiotics.
• Gene transfer: Bacteria can exchange resistance genes amongst themselves – much like we share information. This enables them to rapidly develop resistance to new medicines.

These processes are accelerated by the widespread use or incorrect application of antibiotics in humans and animals.

What types of antibiotic resistance are there?

Experts distinguish between natural (primary) resistance and acquired (secondary) resistance:

• Natural resistance: Some bacteria are naturally resistant to certain antibiotics.
• Acquired resistance: This refers to a bacterium becoming resistant to an antibiotic to which it did not originally have any natural resistance. This occurs through the mechanisms of resistance development described above and can also lead to multidrug resistance.

What are the risks associated with antibiotic resistance?

When bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, even simple infections can become life-threatening. The following groups are particularly at risk:

• People with weakened immune systems
• Children and older people
• Organ transplant recipients
• Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy
• People with diabetes
• Patients before or after surgical procedures

The main risks of antibiotic resistance:

• Prolonged treatment duration: Infections caused by resistant bacteria take longer to treat and are more difficult to manage.
• Increased risk of death: Multidrug-resistant bacteria can cause serious complications and increase the risk of death.
• Limited treatment options: As resistance increases, fewer and fewer effective medicines are available.
• Spread of resistance: Resistant bacteria can easily be transmitted from person to person or from animals to humans.

Why is antibiotic resistance on the rise?

The excessive use of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture encourages the proliferation of resistant bacteria. These are extremely adaptable and can mutate in such a way that antibiotics lose their effectiveness, whilst the bacteria continue to spread and pass on their resistance genes to other bacteria.

We now know that resistant bacteria can also be transmitted to humans through contact with animals or via food of animal origin.

What is being done to tackle antibiotic resistance?

Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest health challenges of our time. To combat it, individual, national and global measures are needed, including:

• Responsible use of antibiotics: To this end, guidelines are being developed and implemented in human and veterinary medicine to prevent inappropriate use.
• Monitoring and data collection: To track developments, data on the prevalence of resistant bacteria and antibiotic consumption is continuously collected.
• Development of new antibiotics and therapies: Researchers are working to develop new active substances and alternative treatment methods to bridge the gap caused by resistant bacteria.
• Improved hygiene: Strict hygiene measures in hospitals and other facilities are designed to prevent the spread of infections and reduce the risk of resistance.
• Education and awareness-raising: The public is informed about the importance of antibiotics and the risks of resistance in order to promote responsible behaviour.
• International cooperation: Countries are exchanging information and best practice to develop joint strategies against resistance.

How can I help prevent antibiotic resistance?

As an individual, you cannot completely prevent antibiotic resistance, but you can help to counteract its development by:

• Taking antibiotics only for bacterial infections
• taking prescribed antibiotics exactly as directed by your doctor
• practising good hygiene to reduce the risk of infection
• getting vaccinated regularly to prevent infections
• choosing meat from sustainable livestock farming

What should you bear in mind when using antibiotics?

• Only take antibiotics if prescribed by a doctor.
• Do not stop taking them early, even if you are already feeling better. This is the only way to ensure that all pathogens are killed off.
• Stick strictly to the prescribed dosage and timing.
• Tell your doctor about any other medicines you are taking to avoid possible interactions.
• Be aware of any possible side effects and contact your doctor if they occur.
• Store antibiotics in accordance with the instructions on the package leaflet.