13. rev significance of antibiotic resistance

Question 1

What is the main threat posed by antibiotic resistance?

Answer 1

It undermines the effectiveness of ‘wonder drugs’ and is a major threat to global public health.

Question 2

How do bacteria become resistant to antibiotics?

Answer 2

They evolve and are no longer killed by the drugs.

Question 3

What is the main cause of antibiotic resistance?

Answer 3

The overuse and misuse of antibiotics (in humans and agriculture).

Question 4

What is the immediate negative impact of antibiotic resistance on common infections?

Answer 4

They become increasingly difficult, or even impossible, to cure, leading to longer illnesses and higher death rates.

Question 5

What dilemma do doctors face in the short term when treating resistant infections?

Answer 5

Having to resort to older, more toxic drugs or combinations, with more side effects.

Question 6

How does antibiotic resistance impact healthcare costs in the short term?

Answer 6

It increases healthcare costs due to longer hospital stays and more complex treatments.

Question 7

What medical progress is threatened by antibiotic resistance in the short term?

Answer 7

It threatens to undo decades of progress, making routine surgeries, organ transplants, and cancer chemotherapy much riskier.

Question 8

What global crisis does antibiotic resistance pose in the long term?

Answer 8

The possibility of a ‘post-antibiotic era’ where simple infections could become fatal again.

Question 9

What positive global effort has antibiotic resistance spurred in the long term?

Answer 9

A massive, urgent effort in research and development to find new drugs and alternative treatments.

Question 10

What public health campaigns have been launched in response to antibiotic resistance?

Answer 10

Campaigns promoting responsible antibiotic use to slow down resistance.