Drug-Resistant Germs Cause 50,800 US Deaths Annually
Drug-resistant germs are making infections harder to treat in the United States, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The report estimates that drug-resistant bacteria and fungi cause 9.7 million infections and 50,800 deaths each year in the country.
These infections can leave patients with fewer treatment options. They can also lead to longer hospital stays, higher medical costs, and serious complications.
The findings highlight the need for better infection prevention and careful use of medicines.
What are drug-resistant germs?
Drug-resistant germs are bacteria and fungi that can survive medicines designed to kill them or stop their growth. This is called antimicrobial resistance.
Resistance can develop when germs change over time. Medicines may kill the germs that are easy to treat, while resistant ones survive and multiply.
For example, someone with a bacterial infection may take an antibiotic that no longer works against that particular germ. The infection may then need different medicines or more complex care.
Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, not viral illnesses such as colds and flu. Using antibiotics when they are not needed exposes bacteria to medicines without providing a benefit.
Which Drug-Resistant Germs Concern the CDC Most?
The CDC places dangerous germs into different threat levels based on their health risks.
Four germs in its latest report fall into the highest category, known as urgent threats.
Candida auris: This fungus can cause severe infections, especially in people who are already seriously ill. It can spread in hospitals and nursing homes through contaminated surfaces or medical equipment.
Drug-resistant gonorrhea: Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection. Some strains are becoming harder to treat, and untreated infections can lead to complications, including infertility.
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales: These bacteria include carbapenem-resistant strains of E. coli, which are resistant to a class of powerful antibiotics. They can cause serious infections, particularly in hospital patients.
Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter: These bacteria can cause severe infections and are resistant to several antibiotics, making treatment difficult.
The CDC also raised concern about drug-resistant meningococcus, which can cause meningitis and bloodstream infections. It spreads through close contact, including contact with saliva and respiratory secretions.
Why Are Drug-Resistant Germs Dangerous?
Drug resistance can turn infections that were once easy to treat into serious health problems.
People with weakened immune systems, older adults, and patients using medical devices may face greater risks.
Imagine someone entering a hospital for surgery. They later develop an infection caused by bacteria that resist several antibiotics. Doctors may need to use stronger medicines, and the patient may stay in the hospital longer.
Drug-resistant infections can also affect people outside healthcare settings. For example, untreated gonorrhea may cause lasting reproductive health problems.
The CDC estimates that healthcare-associated infections caused nearly $12 billion in costs in 2023.
Can Drug Resistance Be Prevented?
Yes. Careful use of medicine and infection prevention can help slow the spread of resistant germs.
Here are practical steps people can take:
- Use antibiotics correctly. Take them only when prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional. Follow the instructions provided.
- Do not share medicines. An antibiotic prescribed for one person may be unsuitable for another.
- Do not use leftover antibiotics. Seek medical advice instead of treating a new illness with old medicine.
- Wash your hands regularly. Handwashing helps reduce the spread of many germs.
- Stay up to date with recommended vaccines. Vaccines can prevent some infections and reduce the need for antibiotics.
- Follow medical advice for skin infections. Avoid using steroid-antifungal combination creams without appropriate guidance.
People should also avoid demanding antibiotics for viral illnesses. These medicines do not treat viruses.
What Does the Latest CDC Report Tell Us?
The report also shows that prevention efforts can make a difference.
Clostridioides difficile, commonly called C. diff, causes severe diarrhea and is often linked to antibiotic use. The CDC lowered its threat category from urgent to serious.
Reported infections fell by 21% between 2018 and 2020 and then remained stable. However, the germ still caused an estimated 412,504 infections in 2023.
The CDC notes that updated methods and data sources affect comparisons with its previous report. Therefore, changes in estimates do not always mean infections have increased or decreased by the same amount in real life.
The Bottom Line
Drug-resistant germs remain a serious public health concern. The CDC estimates that resistant bacteria and fungi cause millions of infections and tens of thousands of deaths each year in the United States.
People can help by using medicines responsibly, washing their hands, and following infection-prevention advice. Healthcare workers and researchers also need effective ways to detect, prevent, and treat resistant infections.
