Antibiotic Resistance: Your Guide to Understanding Superbugs

When it comes to fighting infections, antibiotics have long been the gold standard. But some infections have bacteria with superhero-like powers. These bacteria are called superbugs, and they’re a growing health concern. Read on to learn more about how antibiotic-resistant superbugs happen and what you can do to stay healthy.

Antibiotics are a type of medicine that kills or stops the growth of harmful bacteria that cause infection, such as bladder or kidney infections. Some examples of antibiotics are penicillin, amoxicillin or azithromycin (Z-Pak).

Antibiotic resistance means that the antibiotic is unable to kill the bacteria and stop it from growing. This happens when bacteria become stronger than the drugs meant to kill them. Antibiotic resistance makes infections harder to treat.

When antibiotics are used, they kill some bacteria, but others may survive and multiply. Over time, the surviving, resistant bacteria become more common.

Antibiotic resistance can lead to infections that are difficult, and sometimes impossible, to treat. Each year, 2.8 million Americans get a serious infection caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The World Health Organization has named antibiotic resistance a top global public health threat.

Superbugs are bacteria that are resistant to most, if not all, antibiotics. These differ from common viruses, which are smaller, invasive germs that usually cause full-body symptoms.

Superbugs are caused by antibiotic resistance. When bacteria grow strong enough to withstand the effects of antibiotics, they become superbugs – or antibiotic-resistant infections.

Three common superbugs are methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile (C. diff) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE).

Antibiotic resistance can happen for many reasons. Two common reasons are using antibiotics too often, or not using them correctly. This can happen if you take antibiotics when you don’t need them, or if you don’t finish the full course of treatment.

To prevent antibiotic resistance, you should only take antibiotics when needed and as prescribed by your doctor. Using good hygiene, such as handwashing, can also help stop the spread of resistant bacteria.

Yes, there are ways to combat superbugs. New treatments like phage therapy – using viruses to kill bacteria – and immunotherapy may help fight off superbugs. New antibiotics to treat superbugs are also being researched.

Some sicknesses can easily be treated with antibiotics, while other illnesses have to run their course. Use the chart below to help find out what might be causing your symptoms. Keep in mind, this guide is only a resource, not a diagnostic tool, so make an appointment with your healthcare team if you or your loved one is sick.