1 Life before antibiotics

The problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a universal issue that we could all be directly or indirectly impacted by. AMR was responsible for an estimated 700,000 deaths worldwide in 2016; if we don’t act now, this number is likely to increase in the future.

This section provides an historic perspective on important developments that have shaped modern medicine and provides insights to understanding the problem of AMR that we face today.

After completing this section you will:

• understand how concepts related to the prevention, causes and treatment of infectious diseases developed over time
• understand the importance of good hygiene measures in preventing infections
• understand the importance of antibiotics in modern medicine and modern life
• appreciate that the pre-antibiotic era is not that long ago.