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.
For the Public
- IDSA Faces of Antimicrobial Resistance Report
- Patient Stories
- CDC: Antimicrobial Resistance
- WHO: Antimicrobial Resistance Fact Sheet
For Clinicians
- IDSA 2024 Guidance on the Treatment of Antimicrobial Resistant Gram-Negative Infections
- Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals
- Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Clostridioides difficile Infection in Adults: 2021 Update by SHEA/IDSA
- IDSA Academy's Antimicrobial Stewardship Curricula
- IDSA Antimicrobial Stewardship Centers for Excellence
- Antibacterial Resistance Leadership Group
Public Policy, Advocacy and Action
- Science Speaks Blog: U.N. High-Level Meeting on AMR: Market-Shaping Tools Like PASTEUR Act Needed, Leaders Say
- Experts in Infectious Diseases to House Leaders: Address Antimicrobial Resistance
- IDSA PAHPA 2023 Recommendations on AMR and ID Workforce (House)
- IDSA PAHPA 2023 Recommendations on AMR and ID Workforce (Senate)
- IDSA Shares New Drug Shortages Survey Data on Anti-Infective Drugs with Congressional Leaders
- IDSA Urges Congress to Approve Antibiotic and Workforce Provisions in Cures Act
- IDSA Recommendations to United Nations on Antimicrobial Resistance