About antibiotic resistance
Antibiotics are used to slow the growth of or kill bacteria that cause infections and illnesses. When antibiotic resistance develops, the antibiotics normally used may not work as well or fail completely.
Antibiotic resistance can happen naturally, but the inappropriate use of antibiotics in people, animals and plants is increasing the problem. Antibiotic resistant bacteria can spread easily among people and among animals.
On this page
- What antibiotic resistance is
- How antibiotic resistance happens
- How resistant bacteria spread
- How to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance
What antibiotic resistance is
Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria that cause illness become resistant to the antibiotic drugs used to treat them.
The threat of antibiotic resistance is that infections (such as pneumonia, strep throat or infections associated with minor injuries) could become untreatable.
How antibiotic resistance happens
Antibiotic resistance happens naturally. To a certain degree, any antibiotic use can lead to antibiotic resistance. When bacteria are exposed to antibiotics, some bacteria with the ability to resist antibiotics survive.
Leading causes of increased antibiotic resistance are the overuse or inappropriate use of antibiotics in preventing or treating infections in people and animals.
Examples of antibiotic misuse include:
- giving antibiotics to people and animals when they are not needed,
- taking antibiotics in ways other than how they were prescribed,
- self-medicating or antibiotic sharing,
- taking antibiotics for an infection that is not caused by a bacteria.
How resistant bacteria spread
Anyone can get an antibiotic-resistant infection. Drug-resistant bacteria spread in the same ways as non-resistant bacteria.
Person-to-person
Bacteria can spread between people in the following ways:
- touching
- coughing
- sneezing
- being exposed to bodily fluids (such as through unsafe sexual practices)
Contaminated surfaces
Bacteria can live and survive on surfaces for extended periods of time. You can pick up bacteria, including those resistant to antibiotics, when you touch everyday objects such as:
- doorknobs
- keyboards
- utensils
Food, water and soil
You can be exposed to antibiotic resistant bacteria if you touch or eat foods that are not properly washed or prepared, such as:
- meat, poultry and dairy products
- fruits
- vegetables
Contaminated water or soil can also infect us through direct contact or by putting bacteria into our food.
Animals
Bacteria can be passed from animals to people through direct contact with:
- dogs, cats, reptiles and other pets,
- petting zoo or farm animals, and
- animal manure.
Posters to share

- Use antibiotics wisely - Not all bugs need drugs (Poster)
- Does your child have an earache? (Infographic)
International travel
If you travel internationally, you can pick up an infection not commonly found at home through contact with:
- people
- food
- water
- animals
- contaminated surfaces
International travel may include trips for business, pleasure or even to have a medical procedure.
How to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance
If you get sick and you think you might need antibiotics, consider the following advice:
- Speak with your healthcare professional about the right treatment, and how to use antibiotics responsibly.
- Take steps to learn how you can prevent antibiotic resistance for yourself and your family.
Related information
- Statement from global medicines regulators on combatting antimicrobial resistance - International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA) (PDF, 185 KB)
- National Microbiology Laboratory
- Antibiotic Awareness
Communications and Education Task Group on Antimicrobial Resistance - resources for health professionals - Infection Prevention and Control Canada
Information on antibiotic resistance
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