Antibiotic resistance is a term that doctors use when antibiotic drugs — which are used to kill bacteria or slow their growth — no longer work as intended. This happens when bacteria develop mutations that make them resistant to antibiotics. When antibiotics become less effective, bacterial infections can become more dangerous and spread.
According to the World Health Organization, antibiotic resistance — also called antimicrobial resistance (AMR) — is one of the most serious threats to global health today. UPMC experts are at the forefront of antibiotic resistance research, studying novel treatments and finding new ways to promote responsible antibiotic use.
On this page:
What Is Antibiotic Resistance?
Antibiotic resistance means that drugs designed to kill bacteria or slow their growth no longer work as intended.
Without effective antibiotics, it becomes harder to treat infections like:
- Gonorrhea.
- Pneumonia.
- Salmonella.
- Tuberculosis.
Even simple skin infections can be a problem when bacteria that cause them are resistant to antibiotics.
How common is antibiotic resistance?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the U.S. each year and cause more than 35,000 deaths.
What causes antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance is caused by genetic changes in bacteria that allow them to survive, even when exposed to medications designed to kill them.
Reasons antibiotic resistance has developed include:
- Taking antibiotics when they can't help — In the past, doctors sometimes prescribed antibiotics when people didn't need them. Antibiotics don't work on viruses that cause most colds, flu, and COVID-19. They also don't work on fungal infections that can cause athlete's foot or yeast infections.
- Using antibiotics incorrectly — Never skip a few days of your antibiotic prescription or quit taking it too early — even if you're feeling better. The antibiotics may not have killed all the bacteria in your body yet. The bacteria that remain — which may be less responsive to antibiotics — can then reproduce and spread the infection.
- Using antibiotics in farming — Adding antibiotics to animal feed can boost drug resistance. The bacteria that are in an animal's gut can become resistant to antibiotics and contaminate meat. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can also enter the soil through animal waste, contaminating fruits and vegetables.
- World travel — Modern travel means antibiotic-resistant bacteria can move around the world.
Antibiotic resistance risk factors
Antibiotic resistance can affect anyone, regardless of age, sex, socioeconomic status, or health problems.
However, because antibiotic-resistant bacteria can spread just like any other bacteria, people in health care settings and older people are at higher risk of developing antibiotic-resistant infections.
Other risk factors for developing antibiotic-resistant infections include:
- Having AIDS.
- Having an organ transplant.
- Having cancer or going through chemo.
- Immune-suppressing therapy (such as for lupus or another autoimmune disease).
Complications of antibiotic resistance
Complications from antibiotic resistance include:
- Added follow-up doctor's visits and treatments.
- Greater risk of extended illness or death.
- Increased health care costs.
- Lack of treatment options.
- Longer hospital stays.
- Side effects from stronger medications.
How can I prevent antibiotic resistance?
To help prevent antibiotic resistance:
- Complete your entire course of antibiotics, even if you feel better.
- Do not pressure your doctor into giving you an antibiotic.
- Do not share your medications with other people.
- Follow your doctor's instructions exactly when taking prescription antibiotics.
- Never take someone else's medicine.
How can I reduce my risk of developing a bacterial infection?
To help prevent a bacterial infection:
- Do not eat raw meat, seafood, or eggs.
- Do not share food or drink with anyone.
- Do not share personal items (towels, razors, brushes) with anyone.
- Keep wounds clean and covered.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle (diet, exercise, enough sleep) to lower your chance of getting sick.
- Practice good handwashing techniques.
- Practice safe sex.
- Wash fruits and vegetables before eating.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Antibiotic Resistance?
If your doctor prescribes antibiotics for an infection and you don’t feel better after taking your prescribed course, you may have an antibiotic-resistant infection.
What are the symptoms of a bacterial infection?
A bacterial infection can affect almost any system of the body and cause symptoms such as:
- Belly pain.
- Chills.
- Diarrhea.
- Fatigue.
- Fever.
- Headache.
- Nausea.
- Night sweats.
- Pain.
- Skin flushing or soreness.
- Vomiting.
Your symptoms will be the same whether the bacteria that caused the infection is resistant to antibiotics or not.
When should I see a doctor about my antibiotic resistance symptoms?
You should call your doctor if your symptoms have not improved, even after taking your prescribed antibiotics. Early diagnosis and treatment of antibiotic resistance can lead to better outcomes and a lower risk of complications.
How Do You Diagnose Antibiotic Resistance?
To diagnose antibiotic resistance, your doctor will perform a physical exam and review your symptoms and medical history. Your doctor may order tests to help make a diagnosis.
What to expect during your visit
During your visit, your doctor will:
- Ask about your symptoms.
- Evaluate your medical history.
- Order tests.
- Perform a physical exam.
Tests to diagnose antibiotic resistance
Tests to diagnose antibiotic resistance may include:
- Blood or urine tests — To check to see if an infection is spreading or getting worse despite treatment with antibiotics.
- Tissue or bone biopsy — A procedure to collect samples from the infected area for analysis in the lab. Lab team members will expose the bacteria in the sample to various antibiotics. If the bacteria continue to grow despite exposure, it means they're resistant to that antibiotic.
Antibiotic resistance prognosis
Your prognosis after a diagnosis of antibiotic-resistant infection depends on the severity of your infection, the availability of alternative treatment options, your overall health, and other factors. Your doctor will discuss your prognosis with you.
How Do You Treat Antibiotic Resistance?
The goals of treating antibiotic-resistant infections are to eliminate the bacteria causing the infection and prevent it from spreading. Treatment options may include:
Medication changes
Antibiotic-resistant infections can be tough — and sometimes impossible — to treat.
If your infection isn't responding to antibiotics, your doctor may prescribe a different, stronger one. But sometimes there isn't another option.
If commonly prescribed antibiotics no longer work, doctors can test the bacteria to see which antibiotics (if any) still work.
Supportive care
If medications are not effective at treating your infection, your doctor will recommend supportive therapy to keep you as comfortable as possible and help your body fight the infection on its own. Supportive therapy may include:
- Medications to manage symptoms.
- Nutritional support
- Wound care.
Why Choose UPMC for Antibiotic Resistance Care?
When you choose UPMC for antibiotic resistance care, you will receive:
- Access to board-certified specialists — Our multidisciplinary team of experts provides leading-edge care and ongoing management for children and adults with antibiotic-resistant infections.
- Expert diagnosis and personalized care — Our team will develop a customized plan to manage your infection and reduce your risk of complications.
- A full range of treatment options — We use the latest therapies and protocols to manage antibiotic resistance, including novel treatments available through clinical trials.
