What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)?

Antimicrobials is the collective term for medicines that are used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants. These medicines include antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites, are exposed to antimicrobials and undergo changes overtime, which prevent these medicines from working effectively. As a result, these microorganisms no longer respond to these medicines, making infections harder to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, causing severe illness and even death.

    Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Why is AMR a concern?

With new resistance mechanisms emerging and spreading globally, AMR threatens our ability to prevent and treat an ever-increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi. Without effective antimicrobials for prevention and treatment of infections, medical procedures (from transplants, disease management to surgeries) can become life-threatening. Around the world, this has resulted in more complex treatments, longer hospital stays, higher medical costs, severe illness and even death.

Source: World Health Organization

How does AMR spread?

AMR occurs naturally over time. However, it is accelerated by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials across the human, animal and food production sectors. Examples of misuse include taking antibiotics for viral infections such as a cold and flu, and using antibiotics to promote growth in healthy animals.

Antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms are found in people, animals, food and the environment. They can be spread from person to person, and between people, animals and/or the environment. Improper food-handling, poor sanitary conditions and inadequate infection control measures also encourage the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Watch a video on AMR by the World Health Organization and click here to learn more about the Antimicrobial Resistance Coordinating Office.

Antibiotic Tales Animated Video

Watch the animated snippet from the "The Antibiotic Tales" comic  by Mr Sonny Liew and Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, to learn why antimicrobials are a precious resource and ways in which you can help to reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Click here to watch the video.

Protecting yourself and your loved ones

An infection occurs when microorganisms which are not usually present invade the body. Infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms are harder to treat as the usual antimicrobials may not work. Instead, stronger antimicrobials must be used, which may be more expensive and may cause further resistance.

AMR places healthcare systems at risk. Without effective antimicrobials to combat and treat infections, vital surgeries, organ transplants and chemotherapy become more life-threatening. This could result in a small wound injury leading to death. Take action by protecting yourself and your loved ones against infections with these simple steps: