When Medicines Stop Working: What You Need to Know About Antimicrobial Resistance
Imagine going to a hospital for an infection that is considered a simple one and is easily treatable with antibiotics, only to find out that everything has changed and the antibiotics don’t work anymore. Doesn’t that sound horrifying? That is exactly what is happening around the world, and the phenomenon is known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR). While it sounds like it is extremely technical, it is something that affects every one of us, and it is vital that we understand what is going on. What is Antimicrobial Resistance? Antimicrobial resistance happens when germs (like bacteria or fungi) stop responding to the medicines meant to kill them — mainly antibiotics. This means that even common infections, like a urinary tract infection, can become difficult or impossible to treat. Simply put, antibiotics are misused - and as a result, germs become stronger and our medicines weaker. Why should we care? Because AMR can affect anyone . It can make minor infections dangerous ag...