Abstract

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Infectious diseases have been the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in low-income countries, especially in children. The development of antibiotics led to the improvement of life expectancy by about 8 years as they could be used to treat infections that were previously life-threatening. They have also made possible complex surgeries that could otherwise kill the patients. However, a number of pathogens have developed resistance to antibiotics, rendering the drugs ineffective in treatment of infections. The level of antibiotics resistance is rising dangerously, threatening the ability to treat even common infections. Worst still, antibiotics resistance is not limited to a given locality. Resistance to antibiotics can develop in one area and spread worldwide due to interconnected trades and travels. Thus, antibiotics resistance is a global health crisis and a silent tsunami that unless urgent steps are taken, many infectious diseases that could easily be treated will become difficult to manage, leading to increase in mortality and morbidity. This paper discusses antibiotics, their mode of action, development of resistance and its effect on global health and the means of preventing/controlling resistance.

Keywords: Antibiotics, global health, resistance, infections, antibiotics misuse