Authors : Ms. Arti Pandey, Ms. Sakshi Singh, Mr. Prabhakar Singh Patel
DOI : 10.36106/ijsr/2301725
Volume : 10
Issue : 4
Year : 2025
Page No : g231~g234
Antimicrobial resistance, or AMR, is a growing global health concern that quietly erodes the effectiveness of antibiotics and other medicines we rely on. It happens when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve the ability to resist the drugs meant to kill them. This makes infections harder to treat, increases the chances of spreading disease, and raises the risk of severe illness and death. Introduction: Once considered a foundation of modern medicine, antibiotics are losing their power fast, mainly because of misuse, overuse, and the slow pace of developing new drugs. Unlike sudden outbreaks, AMR spreads slowly but steadily, earning it the nickname 'silent pandemic.' The World Health Organization has flagged it as one of the top 10 threats to health worldwide. Methods and Materials: This review brings together data from global monitoring systems like WHO's GLASS and studies like the Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) project. It looks at research from trusted journals, government reports, and organizational guidelines to understand how big the problem is, how bacteria become resistant, what factors contribute to this issue, and what strategies can help fight it. Results: Our findings show that in 2019, AMR was directly linked to about 1.27 million deaths around the world, and it was a contributing factor in nearly 5 million more. The worst impacts were seen in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Economically, AMR could cut global GDP by about 3.8% by 2050, pushing millions into poverty. Key drivers include overprescribing antibiotics in healthcare and farming, lack of fast diagnostic tools, and poor infection control practices. The mechanisms bacteria use to resist include producing enzymes that break down antibiotics, pumping drugs out of their cells, and forming protective biofilms. To tackle AMR, countries are adopting action plans, promoting responsible antibiotic use, implementing the One Health approach-which considers human, animal, and environmental health-and pushing for new antibiotics and better diagnostic tools. Conclusion: AMR is a hidden but serious threat to global health. Without quick, coordinated efforts involving policy changes, increased public awareness, and ongoing research, we risk entering a time when antibiotics no longer work. Strengthening disease surveillance, encouraging responsible medicine use, and accepting a comprehensive approach to health are essential steps to slow down this dangerous trend.