WHO Reveals Antibiotic Resistant Bugs are a Worldwide Threat to Public Health

The World Health Organization released a report on Wednesday that examined 114 countries and found antibiotic resistance to be a worldwide threat. Officials say that every region of the world must be aware of the issue to treat infections going forward.

In the organization's first global report on antibiotic resistance, health officials and researchers examined seven different bacteria that are treated with antibiotics. These bacteria are present all over the world and cause diseases such as pneumonia, blood infections, gonorrhea, and others. The report, "Antimicrobial resistance: global report on surveillance," can be found on the WHO website.

"Without urgent, coordinated action by many stakeholders, the world is headed for a post-antibiotic era, in which common infections and minor injuries which have been treatable for decades can once again kill," said Dr. Keiji Fukuda, WHO's Assistant Director-General for Health Security, in this Guardian news article.

A big concern for "last resort" antibiotics was focused on in the report. These antibiotics fight the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae, which is present in all regions of the world and is responsible for causing pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and infections in newborns as well as intensive care unit patients. The antibiotics used to treat these conditions were found to not work in over half of treated patients.

A considerable antibiotic resistance was also found in those treated for urinary tract infections caused by E. coli and those infected with gonorrhea. Half of patients that get urinary tract infections caused by E. coli are resistant to fluoroquinolones (the most common antibiotic used to treat the condition). Additionally, a high percentage of those resistant to last resort treatment for gonorrhea was documented in ten countries across the globe.

In the meantime, health experts are taking measures to help mend the current problematic state of affairs. They offered some tips and suggestions for the everyday individual to help out the cause, which are: use antibiotics only when prescribed by a doctor;  complete the full prescription even if you're feeling better; and never share antibiotics with others and do not use leftover prescriptions.