Some bacteria with resistance to antibiotics predate the medical use of antibiotics by humans;[16][17][18] however, widespread antibiotic use has caused more bacteria to become resistant, a process called evolutionary pressure.[19][20]
Reasons for the widespread use of antibiotics include:
increasing global availability over time since the 1950s
uncontrolled sale in many low or middle income countries, where they can be obtained over the counter without a prescription, potentially resulting in antibiotics being used when not indicated.[21]:1060 This may result in emergence of resistance in any remaining bacteria.
prescription or obtaining of broad-spectrum antibiotics incorrectly: these are more likely to induce resistance than narrow-spectrum antibiotics.
Antibiotic use in livestock feed at low doses for growth promotion is an accepted practice in many industrialized countries which leads to resistance.[22][23] Releasing large quantities of antibiotics into the environment during pharmaceutical manufacturing by inadequate treatment of wastewater contributes to the likelihood of creating antibiotic-resistant strains.[24][25] It is uncertain whether antibacterials in soaps and other products contribute to antibiotic resistance, but they are discouraged for other reasonsSome bacteria with resistance to antibiotics predate the medical use of antibiotics by humans;[16][17][18] however, widespread antibiotic use has caused more bacteria to become resistant, a process called evolutionary pressure.[19][20]
Reasons for the widespread use of antibiotics include:
increasing global availability over time since the 1950s
uncontrolled sale in many low or middle income countries, where they can be obtained over the counter without a prescription, potentially resulting in antibiotics being used when not indicated.[21]:1060 This may result in emergence of resistance in any remaining bacteria.
prescription or obtaining of broad-spectrum antibiotics incorrectly: these are more likely to induce resistance than narrow-spectrum antibiotics.
Antibiotic use in livestock feed at low doses for growth promotion is an accepted practice in many industrialized countries which leads to resistance.[22][23] Releasing large quantities of antibiotics into the environment during pharmaceutical manufacturing by inadequate treatment of wastewater contributes to the likelihood of creating antibiotic-resistant strains.[24][25] It is uncertain whether antibacterials in soaps and other products contribute to antibiotic resistance, but they are discouraged for other reasons