Antibiotic Resistance A result of overuse, misuse, and abuse

Antibiotics, also known as antibacterials and antimicrobials, are the miracle drugs that have revolutionised the practice of medicine, curing everything from a sore throat to pneumonia. They are the cure for bacterial infections. But then, consider this simple fact: colds are caused by viruses, not by bacteria. And antibiotics only work against the latter. They have no effect on viral infections. What happens when we mix up symptoms, infections, and cures?

Scarily enough, many people demand antibiotics for things like sinus infections, bronchitis, and the common cold, diseases that are often viral. They want a pill to make their symptoms go away. In some countries and over the Internet, antibiotics can be purchased without a doctor’s prescription.

Owing to the abundance and misuse of antibiotics across the world, microorganisms have adapted to withstand the effects of antibiotics. Remember that originally an is a substance produced by one microorganism that selectively inhibits the growth of another.