Antibiotic Resistance

by Sarah Chang

Antibiotics are widely recognized as medication used when treating bacterial infections that either kill bacteria or inhibit their growth. However, a rising issue from an overuse of antibiotics is antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria undergo genetic changes or mutations that enable them to survive exposure of antibiotics. The antibiotic becomes ineffective against the mutated bacteria as a result, allowing the resistant bacteria to multiply and continue to harm the body. 

A common cause of antibiotic resistance is unnecessary antibiotic use. This is as simple as taking the treatment when it is not needed, such as for viral infections like the common cold, flu, or bronchitis. Antibiotics are designed to target bacteria instead of viruses, so they have no effect against infections caused by viruses. (Did you know that the flu is caused by a virus?) In such cases, using antibiotics attacks and disrupts the useful bacteria in your body, even promoting the spread of resistance through a concept called gene transfer. This is when plasmids, or short pieces of DNA that contain a resistance gene, spread to neighboring bacteria via physical contact. Although this means the healthy gut bacteria can eventually gain resistance to antibiotics, which can be beneficial, it also enables antibiotic resistance genes to spread to harmful bacteria. Therefore, if you get a bacterial infection soon after, this previous, unnecessary exposure to antibiotics accelerates the emergence of resistant bacteria and limits treatment options.

Another major contributor to antibiotic resistance occurs when the prescribed antibiotic course is stopped too early. Antibiotics usually need to be taken for 7-14 days. Many people choose to stop taking antibiotics once they begin to feel better, which usually happens in less than 7 days, since they believe that they no longer need the medication. However, this incompleteness means a few bacteria will survive, and resistant bacteria will be able to develop and spread. Then, the original antibiotic treatment will no longer work for the resistant bacteria and different treatment options will be required.

Although bacteria cannot not be completely prevented from developing resistance, we can decrease the potential harm of resistance by limiting antibiotic use to situations when they are truly needed and by completing a full course as prescribed. Prescriptions should be followed as directed and antibiotics should not be taken for viral infections. As antibiotic resistance continues to rise at an alarming rate, through responsible use and improved awareness, its progression can be slowed and global health can be protected!

Works Cited

• American Society for Microbiology. "Plasmids and the Spread of Antibiotic Resistance Genes." ASM.org, 31 Jan. 2023, https://asm.org/articles/2023/january/plasmids-and-the-spread-of-antibiotic-resistance-g.Accessed March 23, 2025.

• Cleveland Clinic. "Antibiotic Resistance: What It Is, Causes, and Prevention." Cleveland Clinic, 7 Oct. 2021, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/21655-antibiotic-resistance.Accessed March 23, 2025.

• Mayo Clinic Staff. "Antibiotics: Are You Misusing Them?" Mayo Clinic, 1 Nov. 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/antibiotics/art-20045720. Accessed March 23, 2025.

• Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. "General Information on Antibiotic Resistance." Health.MO.gov, https://health.mo.gov/safety/antibioticresistance/generalinfo.php. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025. 

• World Health Organization. "Antimicrobial Resistance." WHO, 17 Nov. 2021, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance.Accessed March 23, 2025.