Over-use and self-medication of antibiotics have created drug-resistant ‘superbugs’, which are killing many people and the numbers are rising. Soon, even simple infections could become fatal
20 November, 2025 – Few discoveries in modern medicine have saved as many lives as antibiotics. From curing pneumonia and treating tuberculosis to preventing infections after surgeries, antibiotics have been one of the greatest weapons of science against diseases.
Today, these life-saving drugs have become a cause of worry. Globally, doctors are seeing more and more infections that do not respond to commonly used antibiotics. This growing problem is known as antibiotic resistance, and is one of the biggest challenges to global health in the 21st century. Unless we act wisely, we may soon return to a time when even simple infections could become fatal.
Antibiotics are drugs that kill or stop the growth of bacteria, responsible for various diseases like typhoid, tuberculosis and urinary tract infections. They work by attacking different parts of the bacteria. It’s important to remember that antibiotics work only against bacteria, not against viruses. This means they are useless for common colds, flu, sore throats caused by viruses (Covid-19 was one such virus). Yet, many people still self-medicate themselves with antibiotics for these viral infections — one of the key reasons, the antibiotics resistance, is increasing rapidly.
Why it happens
Balbir Singh (52), a farmer from a village near Ferozepur, came to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Chandigarh, with high-grade fever and abdominal discomfort. He had a history of fever thrice in the past one year, getting treatment from general practitioners and sometimes even quacks, who gave him ‘pudi wali dawai’. However, since this ‘dawai’ was not effective this time, he came to GMCH. His blood culture reports showed growth of Salmonella Typhi, resistant to most commonly used antibiotics. As he had been given many antibiotics in the past, he had developed high antibiotics resistance. The results were alarming, showing resistance to third-generation cephalosporins (broad-spectrum antibiotics used to treat serious infections including meningitis, pneumonia, etc) as well as multi-drug resistance.
He had to be administered a high-end, newer class of antibiotics, often reserved for treating serious infections, usually caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens.
When antibiotics are used incorrectly and/or too often, bacteria learn to fight back. Some bacteria evolve naturally and develop changes (mutations) that help them survive antibiotic attacks. When people take antibiotics unnecessarily, these resistant bacteria survive while the sensitive ones die. Over time, only the resistant bacteria, termed ‘superbugs’, remain, no longer responding to the antibiotics that once killed them.
These resistant bacteria are not limited to hospitals anymore and can spread in the community through food, water and direct contact. Farmers often give antibiotics to cattle to promote faster growth or prevent diseases, which only adds to the problem. The resistant bacteria from animals can enter the human food chain and make infections harder to treat. Already, infections like tuberculosis, gonorrhoea and certain urinary tract infections are becoming harder, sometimes impossible, to cure with the existing antibiotics. The World Health Organisation has warned that antibiotic resistance could cause millions of deaths every year by 2050, and make even routine surgeries risky.
Judicious use is crucial
Every time we use antibiotics unnecessarily, we give bacteria another chance to develop resistance. Being ‘judicious’ means using antibiotics only when truly needed, in the right dose, and for the right duration.
A common fight
Antibiotic resistance is not just a doctor’s problem—it is everyone’s problem. Here are some key ways society can act together:
Public awareness: People need to understand when antibiotics are needed and when they are not. Schools, community groups and media can play a big role in spreading this message.
Better hygiene: Washing hands, using clean water and keeping surroundings clean can prevent infections and reduce the need for antibiotics in the first place.
Vaccination: It helps prevent bacterial diseases like pneumonia and typhoid, reducing the need for antibiotics.
Responsible use in animals/cattle: Farmers should use antibiotics only when animals are sick, not as growth promoters.
Research and innovation: Governments and pharmaceutical firms must invest in developing new drugs and diagnostic tools.
Stronger regulations: Antibiotics should only be sold with a valid prescription, and misuse in both humans and animals should be strictly controlled.
The way forward
The fight against antibiotic resistance requires a united effort — from doctors, patients, farmers, policymakers and the public. The solution lies not just in creating new drugs but in protecting the ones we already have.
Every time we use antibiotics wisely, we help preserve their power for future generations. Every time we misuse them, we risk losing that power forever. So, the next time you feel under the weather, remember: not every illness needs an antibiotic — but every antibiotic needs your respect. Together, through awareness and responsibility, we can ensure that these life-saving medicines continue to protect us for decades to come.
— The writer is Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh
The Tribune