What To Do if Your Common Infection Is Not Getting Better

Imagine getting a simple UTI, sinus infection, or strep throat, only to find that the usual antibiotics don’t work. This is the grim reality of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a global health crisis that’s quietly transforming modern medicine.

Dr. Ramanan Laxminarayan, an epidemiologist and global expert on antimicrobial resistance, emphasizes that antimicrobial resistance poses a severe threat to public health. Unlike a future concern, it has already become a pressing issue.

What Is Antimicrobial Resistance?

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites evolve to survive medications intended to eliminate them, such as antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals.

The result is that infections that were once easily treatable become stubborn, recurring, and even deadly.

Why It’s Getting Worse

• Overuse of antibiotics (in humans, livestock, and agriculture)
• Incomplete antibiotic courses
• Poor infection control in healthcare settings
• Global travel, spreading resistant strains across borders

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 1.27 million deaths in 2019 were directly linked to drug-resistant infections.

Common Infections That Are Becoming Harder to Treat

You might not realize how everyday health issues are impacted by AMR:

Infection	Rising Resistance To
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)	Ciprofloxacin, Trimethoprim
Gonorrhea	Azithromycin, Ceftriaxone
Strep Throat	Macrolides
Skin Infections	Methicillin (MRSA)
Tuberculosis (TB)	Multiple first-line antibiotics

Dr. Helen Boucher, an infectious disease specialist and dean at Tufts University School of Medicine, warns that we are even witnessing resistant E. coli in otherwise healthy, young individuals.

The Post-Antibiotic Era Isn’t Science Fiction

Without effective antibiotics:

• Routine surgeries (like C-sections or knee replacements) become riskier
• Cancer treatments, which suppress the immune system, become more dangerous
• Minor injuries or infections could turn fatal again

The CDC refers to this as the potential for a “post-antibiotic era,” where modern medicine could be set back by decades.

How You Can Protect Yourself

While AMR is a global issue, your daily choices matter. Here’s how to lower your personal risk:

1. Only Use Antibiotics When Truly Necessary

Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses such as the common cold, flu, or COVID-19.

2. Finish the Entire Course

Even if you feel better, stopping treatment prematurely allows resistant bacteria to survive and reproduce.

3. Don’t Pressure Your Doctor

If they advise against antibiotics, trust their judgment. Also, inquire about alternative methods to alleviate symptoms.

4. Practice Good Hygiene

Regular handwashing and thorough cooking of food help prevent infections, reducing the need for antibiotics in the first place.

5. Stay Updated on Vaccines

Vaccines, such as those for the flu, pneumonia, and COVID-19, can significantly reduce your chances of falling ill and requiring antibiotics.

What Science Is Doing About It

Global initiatives are underway:

• New antibiotic research (though progress is slow)
• Phage therapy: using viruses to kill resistant bacteria
• Stronger infection control in hospitals
• One Health approach: linking human, animal, and environmental health policies

Despite this, experts unanimously agree that behavioral change, from individuals to entire healthcare systems, is crucial.

The War on Superbugs Starts With Us

Antimicrobial resistance may sound like a distant, medical issue. But the truth is: it affects everyone with a prescription pad or a sore throat.

The good news is that through increased awareness, responsible antibiotic use, and collective action, we can slow down the rise of AMR before it becomes uncontrollable.

Dr. Boucher emphasizes the significance of antibiotics as a precious and limited resource. The way we use them today will shape the future of medicine.