Antimicrobial Resistance

Antibiotics, antivirals, and other antimicrobials have saved millions of lives worldwide, but these drugs are losing their effectiveness because of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance refers to microbes' natural ability to evolve genetically to counter the drugs. Some of this is inevitable, but over-prescription and improper use of antimicrobials plays a big role. Up to half of antibiotic use is unnecessary or inappropriate.

Drug-resistant infections can strike anyone—young or old, healthy or sick, as these real life patient stories show. Treating resistant infections costs the U.S. health care system an estimated $21 billion to $34 billion annually. IDSA is working on many fronts to counter these "bad bugs" and save lives.

IDSA Policy Priority: Antimicrobial Resistance

Facts about Antibiotic Resistance

The incidence of antibiotic-resistance has been rapidly increasing. At the same time, fewer new antibiotics are being developed.

Patient Stories

Many patients and their families have suffered the debilitating effects of drug-resistant infections.IDSA believes it is important to tell their stories to spur the development of new treatments and to strengthen efforts to control drug resistance. If you would like to share your story, please contact John Heys at jheys@idsociety.org.

Patient Education Guides on MRSA and other HAIs

IDSA partners with the Society for HealthCare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and others to offer free guides to educate the public about preventing seven common health care-associated infections (HAIs). Many HAIs, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), are drug-resistant.

Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work

This site from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention includes resources to help you learn more about appropriate antibiotic use, antibiotic resistance, and how to feel better when sick with a viral infection.

IDSA Practice Guidelines on MRSA

These guidelines on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) discuss the management of a variety of clinical syndromes associated with MRSA disease, including skin and soft tissue infections, bacteremia and endocarditis, pneumonia, bone and joint infections, and central nervous system infections. (2011)

IDSA/SHEA Practice Guidelines on Clostridium difficile

This guideline from IDSA and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) is designed to improve the diagnosis and management of Clostridium difficile infection in adult patients. (2010)

Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals

This compendium of practice recommendations was sponsored and authored by IDSA and SHEA. Partners were the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, the Joint Commission, and the American Hospital Association. (2008)

IDSA/SHEA Practice Guidelines on Antimicrobial Stewardship

This document presents guidelines for developing institutional programs to enhance antimicrobial stewardship, an activity that includes appropriate selection, dosing, route, and duration of antimicrobial therapy. (2007)

More Professionals

Antibiotic Development: The 10 x '20 Initiative

IDSA's regulatory and legislative effort to spur research and development of new antibiotics (and related diagnostics) to treat (and detect) serious and life-threatening bacterial infections.

IDSA Policy: Antimicrobial Resistance

IDSA is working on several fronts to counter “bad bugs” including by promoting development of new drugs, eliminating inappropriate use of antibiotics in agriculture, promoting antimicrobial stewardship programs, and strengthening the U.S. response through surveillance, prevention and control, and research efforts.

Facts about Antibiotic Resistance

The incidence of antibiotic-resistance has been rapidly increasing. At the same time, fewer new antibiotics are being developed.

Patient Stories

Hospital Programs to Reduce Antibiotic Resistance Working: Studies

HealthDay News reports that antimicrobial stewardship programs are helping to reduce antibiotic resistance and costs, but too few hospitals have fully implemented such programs, according to new research presented at IDSA’s Annual Meeting. (10/20/2011)

Antimicrobial Resistance

Facts about Antibiotic Resistance

Patient Stories

Patient Education Guides on MRSA and other HAIs

Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work

IDSA Practice Guidelines on MRSA

IDSA/SHEA Practice Guidelines on Clostridium difficile

Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals

IDSA/SHEA Practice Guidelines on Antimicrobial Stewardship

Antibiotic Development: The 10 x '20 Initiative

IDSA Policy: Antimicrobial Resistance

Facts about Antibiotic Resistance

Patient Stories

Hospital Programs to Reduce Antibiotic Resistance Working: Studies

IDSA Applauds Reintroduction of GAIN Act to Spur Development of Antibiotics

New Measures, Legislation Aimed at Antibiotic Resistance: Infections Cost Millions, End Lives

Doctors Make Case for More Drug Spending

Infectious Diseases Society of America