Antibiotics are medications that treat a range of bacterial infections, from bacterial pneumonia to sexually transmitted diseases. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria in the body build up an immunity to common drugs, which can delay treatment and worsen symptoms.
Antibiotic medications can become less effective for the following reasons:
It is important to remember that virtually all bacterial infections can be treated by some medication. However, resistance makes finding the right medication more difficult, which can impact a patient’s outcome.
When a patient lacks the full arsenal of treatment options, the following may occur:
It is also worth noting that the medications used to treat antibiotic resistant infections typically come with more severe side effects. As a result, a patient could experience additional health problems beyond the underlying infection.
The best thing patients can do is take antibiotics according to their doctor’s instructions. If your symptoms clear before the drug regimen is complete, continue taking the medication anyway. You must also avoid taking antibiotics for illnesses that do not result from bacterial infections. For example, colds and flu are caused by viruses, which do not respond to antibiotics.