Antimicrobial resistance quiz

This is a common misconception; it is actually the bacteria themselves that can develop resistance to standard treatment, not the human body. These bacteria can then spread to other people and cause infections.

Antibiotic resistance is a subset of AMR. AMR also includes medications that are resistant to viruses (e.g. HIV, hepatitis), parasites (p. falciparum malaria) and fungi (candida).

The World Health Organization says antimicrobial-resistant organisms are in every country. There is a form of tuberculosis (TB) that is already resistant to the 2 most powerful anti-TB drugs. As of July 2016, resistance to the first-line treatment for P. falciparum malaria (artemisinin-based combination therapies, also known as ACTs) has been confirmed in 5 countries of the Greater Mekong subregion (Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam). In 2010, an estimated 7% of people starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) in developing countries had drug-resistant HIV. 

You can prevent AMR by staying healthy. Keep up to date on your vaccines, use safe practices while cooking, wash and sanitise your hands regularly, and be smart if you do become sick. Do not take antibiotics if you have a viral infection and don’t share antibiotics with others.

Influenza (as well as the common cold) is caused by a virus. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, not viral infections. Taking antibiotics for a viral infection won’t help and can contribute to the rise of AMR.