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INSTRUCTOR:

How does antibiotic resistance spread? Antibiotic resistance is the ability of a bacteria to combat the action of one or more antibiotics. Humans and animals do not become resistant to antibiotic treatments, but bacteria carried by humans and animals can.

In animal farming, animals may be treated with antibiotics, and they can therefore carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Vegetables may also be contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria from animal manure used as fertiliser. Finally, antibiotic-resistant bacteria can spread to humans through food and direct contact with animals.

In a community, humans sometimes receive antibiotics prescribed to treat infections. However, bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics as a natural adaptive reaction, and then antibiotic-resistant bacteria can spread from the treated patient to other persons. In health care facilities, humans may receive antibiotics and then carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These can spread to other patients via unclean hands or contaminated objects.

Patients who may be carrying antibiotic-resistant bacteria will ultimately be sent home and can spread these resistant bacteria to other persons. Travellers requiring hospital care while visiting a country with a high prevalence of antibiotic resistance may return home with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Even if not in contact with health care, travellers may carry and import resistant bacteria acquired from food or the environment during travel.

Bacteria have become resistant because antibiotics have been used for the wrong reasons or incorrectly in different settings. Infections with resistant bacteria are difficult to treat.