FolderUnderstanding and preventing

Antibioresistance: understanding resistance and acting

Micro-organisms may evolve and no longer respond to certain treatments. This resistance complicates the management of infections and concerns care, animals, food and the environment.

Topic updated: 27/10/2026

AI-generated illustration, not evidence of a health event. The interpretation of the sensitivity of an agent depends on the sampling, method and clinical context.

EssentialShort answer

To be retained

The starting points

Resistance concerns the micro-organism, not the person. Antibiotics act against certain bacterial infections and do not treat viruses. Infection prevention, vaccination when indicated, appropriate diagnosis and proper use of antimicrobials limit the selection pressure and spread of resistant agents.

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01Reference

Understanding the terms

Antimicrobial resistance includes several families of drugs and agents; antibioresistance refers more precisely to bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

Resistance

A micro-organism can survive or multiply despite treatment that was previously effective.

Selection

The use of an antimicrobial can favour resistant microorganisms already present; unnecessary use increases this pressure.

Transmission

A resistant agent can circulate between people, establishments, animals, food and media depending on the situation.

Antibiogram

A laboratory can test the sensitivity of a bacterium; the result helps the professional to choose a treatment when this test is indicated.

02Reference

What everyone can do

Treatment decisions are the responsibility of a professional, but several actions reduce the frequency of infections and preventable uses.

Prevent

Hand hygiene, safe food, quality water, recommended vaccination and prevention measures adapted to the context.

Consult for a diagnosis

Describe the symptoms, duration, history and treatments in progress; ask what the diagnosis makes possible.

Follow a prescription

Follow the information received and contact the prescriber again in case of adverse reaction or development.

Avoid sharing

Do not use an old treatment or that of another person for a new disease.

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Monitoring and collective response

Resistance trends vary by agent, location, time, and type of sampling.

Laboratories

Produce comparable results and report unusual profiles according to national circuits.

Care

Associate infection prevention, relevant diagnosis, and antimicrobial use programs.

Animal and environmental sectors

Monitoring uses, strengthening biosecurity and reducing avoidable releases.

Data

Read the relationship with their method: an increase may also reflect more intense screening.

LandPutting into context

Situations to be considered

Resistance is read in a clinical and microbiological context, and then prevents at several levels.

An infection seems viral

An antibiotic does not treat the virus. The professional decides whether a bacterial complication or other diagnosis warrants an examination or treatment.

Antibiogram available

The result describes the sensitivity of the bacterium tested; the choice of treatment also depends on the site of infection and the person.

Resistant bacteria circulate in an establishment

Hand hygiene, care precautions and the proper use of antibiotics work together on dissemination and selection.

In practiceObserve and understand

Resistance: understand the figure before comparing it

Resistance concerns microorganisms. WHO reports that about one in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections worldwide in 2023 was resistant to antibiotics. This does not describe resistance among all people.

Resistance: understand the figure before comparing it — explanations and limits
Specify	Why it matters	Question to ask about the figure
Bacterium and antibiotic	Resistance is interpreted for a specific combination.	Which species and drugs are included?
Observed population	People tested do not always represent the whole population.	Does this cover inpatients, outpatients or another sample?
Period and area	A global assessment does not describe every facility.	What are the sampling dates and geographic coverage?

Keep in mind

The ‘one in six’ figure refers to 2023. It cannot guide the choice of a drug or calculate an individual probability of treatment failure.

References for these explanations

WHO — Antimicrobial resistance ↗

Sources consulted on 15/10/2026. Examples and diagrams are educational; the original guidance defines its scope.

QuestionsClarifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Are antibiotics treating the flu?

No, the flu is caused by a virus. However, a professional may prescribe an antibiotic if a separate bacterial infection is diagnosed.

Can I stop treatment as soon as I get better?

Follow the duration and instructions given by the prescriber. If an adverse reaction occurs or the situation changes, ask for advice rather than change the treatment alone.

Does a person become resistant to antibiotics?

Bacteria become resistant. A person may carry a resistant bacteria, with or without infection.

Should we stop an antibiotic as soon as the symptoms decrease?

Follow the prescribed time and contact the prescriber before any changes. The appropriate duration depends on infection and treatment.

Do not confuse treatment families

Resistance may involve different antimicrobials. Distinguish antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitic medicines →

Institutional sources

External sources can evolve. Check their date and instructions for your territory.

PratiqueCheck before deciding

Trois notions à séparer

Reading guidance and interpretation limits
Concept or situation	What it describes	Point to watch
Resistance	Un micro-organisme devient moins sensible à un antimicrobien.	Ce n’est pas le corps de la personne qui devient résistant.
Colonization	Présence d’un micro-organisme sans maladie associée.	Un résultat positif ne justifie pas automatiquement un traitement.
Infection	Atteinte clinique attribuée à un agent.	Treatment choices depend on the infection site, the patient and the interpretation of results.