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Antimicrobial resistance

    Overview

    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi.

    AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. As a result, the medicines become ineffective and infections persist in the body, increasing the risk of spread to others.

    Antimicrobials - including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics - are medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants. Microorganisms that develop antimicrobial resistance are sometimes referred to as “superbugs”.

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    Country preparedness for the introduction and appropriate use of antibiotics: operational guidance

    WHO’s Country preparedness for the introduction and appropriate use of antibiotics: operational guidance (“operational guidance”) provides...

    Strengthening primary health care-oriented health systems to address antimicrobial resistance

    A primary health care (PHC)-oriented health system aims to maximize the level and distribution of health and well-being through three components: (i) primary...

    The selection and use of essential medicines, 2025: WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) classification of antibiotics for evaluation and monitoring of use

    The AWaRe classification is intended as a tool for monitoring antibiotic use, defining targets and monitoring the impact of stewardship policies and interventions...

    In vitro diagnostic tests for serious bacterial infection, including neonatal sepsis, among infants aged 0–59 days: target product profile

    An estimated 2.3 million newborns die each year. Low- and middle-income countries bear the greatest mortality burden, with sepsis contributing 15%. It...

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    Country profiles present selected data, statistics and information to provide national health profiles at given points in time.
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