Myths and Facts About Antimicrobial Resistance

Myth: Antibiotics are effective against all infections.

Fact: Antibiotics only work on pathogens that are sensitive to them, and pathogens are increasingly becoming resistant to common therapies.

Myth: AMR occurs when the body becomes resistant to antibiotics.

Fact: It is actually the bacteria themselves that can develop resistance to antibiotics, not the human body.

Myth: It is good practice to stop taking antibiotics as soon as I feel better to minimize the risk of resistance.

Fact: It is always a good idea to heed the advice of your healthcare provider and to keep taking the antibiotic course as prescribed.

Myth: Antibiotic resistance is only a problem for people who take antibiotics frequently.

Fact: While closely following instructions for antibiotic use does decrease your risk, anyone can become infected by multi-drug-resistant bacteria.

Myth: There is nothing I can do to stop the spread of AMR.

Fact: Everyone has a role to play in combating AMR, from industry to policymakers to the general public.

Myth: There is no issue with taking antibiotics that have been prescribed for someone else.

Fact: Patients are prescribed antibiotics for particular infections, and therefore an antibiotic prescribed for one person may not work for someone else.

Sources: World Health Organization; Antimicrobial resistance key facts. 5^th February 2018 | Center for Disease Control; About Antimicrobial resistance. 2^nd October 2022