What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and how can you help combat it?

Imagine a world where common infections became life-threatening, because our medicines no longer worked. It might sound like the plot for a dystopian film, but this scenario is real and it’s happening now. Antimicrobial resistance, known as AMR, is stopping antibiotics from being as effective as they used to be. There were an estimated 66,730 serious antibiotic-resistant infections in 2023, a rise compared to 62,314 that we saw in 2019, before the pandemic.

What exactly is AMR?

AMR occurs when bacteria and other microorganisms evolve to survive the medicines we use to fight them. Just as we adapt to challenges, bacteria can adapt to survive antibiotics. When this happens, these vital medicines stop working when we need them most. Find out more about AMR on the NHS website.

The global impact

The numbers tell a stark story:

• in 2021 alone, AMR directly caused 1.14 million deaths worldwide: that’s more than 1 million families losing someone they love
• if we don’t act now, by 2050, AMR could claim an additional 39 million lives globally
• without effective antibiotics, routine medical procedures like your appendix or tonsils being removed, hip replacements, caesarean sections, dental work and chemotherapy could become extremely risky due to the threat of untreatable infections

While AMR affects everyone, Black British and Asian British communities face a higher risk of developing infections that don’t respond well to antibiotics, which makes it crucial that we focus our activities to address this issue.

How you can help

Here are 3 simple but powerful actions:

1. Don’t take antibiotics for colds and flu – they won’t help because these illnesses are caused by viruses, not bacteria. If in doubt, go to your local pharmacy for advice.
2. Never save antibiotics for later use – they won’t work properly and could make the problem worse.
3. When prescribed antibiotics, take them exactly as directed by your GP, nurse or pharmacist, to make sure they are effective.

Q&A

What is antimicrobial resistance (AMR)?

Antimicrobials, including antibiotics, are used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals, and plants. However, the more we use these medicines excessively or inappropriately, the more the bugs they target evolve to survive and the antimicrobials stop working. This is known as AMR. Examples of misuse include taking antibiotics for viral infections, such as colds, sore throats, or coughs, which cannot be treated by antibiotics.

Who does AMR affect?

AMR can impact anyone. It threatens our ability to treat common infections and to perform life-saving procedures. Without effective modern antibiotics and other antimicrobial treatments, patients facing health issues, such as cancer treatment, colorectal surgery, hip replacements, caesarean sections or those harmed in war zones, will be more likely to die from infections.

How serious is AMR?

Every day, antibiotic resistance means we struggle to treat patients.

Antibiotic resistance means that bacteria are less likely to respond to first line treatments, which can lead to serious complications, including bloodstream infections, sepsis and hospitalisation. People who get a bacterial infection that is resistant to one or more antibiotics are more likely to die within 30 days compared to those who have an antibiotic sensitive infection.

Antimicrobial resistance is not a crisis of the future, but one that is with us right now.

What can I do to reduce AMR?

Always follow your doctor, nurse or pharmacist’s advice as to whether you need antibiotics. If they are prescribed, take them as directed, and never share them with friends and family or save antibiotics for later use.

You can also reduce the risks of AMR by reducing infections in the first place – take up the vaccinations you are eligible for and practice good hygiene like hand washing.