Antibiotic Resistance
Overuse and misuse of antibiotics has led to a rise in antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria are no longer sensitive to a medication that should eliminate an infection. Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are potentially very dangerous and increase the risk of death. About 2 million people in the U.S. suffer from antibiotic resistant infections each year and 23,000 die due to the condition. The CDC estimates 14,000 deaths alone are due to Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infections that occur because of antibiotic suppression of other bacteria allow C.difficile to proliferate. Most deaths due to antibiotic resistant infections occur in hospitalized patients and those who are in nursing homes.
