ANTIMICROBIAL resistance occurs when microbes such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to medicines. This makes common infections harder to treat and increases the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. That is why India and other countries worldwide are observing November 18 to 24 as World Antimicrobial Awareness Week.

Thomas Joseph, the World Health Organization (WHO)'s head of Antimicrobial Stewardship and Awareness said, 'Antimicrobial resistance is undermining a century of progress in medicine — infections that were previously treatable and curable with our drugs are becoming (or at risk of becoming) incurable (as medicines are not working against infections). Even common infections are becoming risky and a problem. Surgeries are becoming risky. Cause of antimicrobial resistance is found in the behavior of human beings, who are misusing or overusing antimicrobials. We must ensure that when we are sick we are only taking antimicrobials on medical advice and medical supervision.'