Abstract

Antimicrobials are medications used to fight common bacteria-caused infections in the body that can range from minor to severe. Bacteria can mutate and alter its genetic coding to fight the antimicrobials and ultimately build up resistance making the antibiotic ineffective. Antimicrobial resistance is a problem faced across the globe and especially in lower income countries. Excessive prescribing, over usage, incomplete treatment, and lower dosing all contribute to antimicrobial resistance. It is detrimental because it causes infections that cannot be treated by present antibiotics and it can often be fatal. In the age of COVID-19, antimicrobial prescribing has increased as an attempt to combat the virus as proper treatment has not yet been discovered. Various methods can be taken to decrease antimicrobial resistance and prevent it from becoming highly common in society, but action should be taken soon so long-term consequences are limited.

Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance; Antibiotics; Bacteria; COVID-19; Prescribing; Vaccines