The Growing Global Threat Of Antibiotic Resistance Ielts Reading Answers Top Portable -

The overuse of antibiotics.

The mechanism of resistance is a classic example of Darwinian evolution. When a person takes an antibiotic, the drug kills the susceptible bacteria, leaving behind only those few bacteria that, by chance or genetic mutation, possess traits allowing them to survive. These survivors then multiply, becoming the dominant strain. This process is accelerated significantly by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics. When drugs are used unnecessarily—for instance, to treat viral infections like the common cold, against which they are ineffectual—bacteria are exposed to the medication without fully eradicating the infection, providing an environment for resistance to flourish. The overuse of antibiotics

Resistance happens naturally, but human actions accelerate it. Misuse of Drugs: These survivors then multiply, becoming the dominant strain

: Pharmaceutical companies often prioritize drugs for chronic conditions over antibiotics because they are more profitable. reducing unnecessary agricultural use

Addressing the growing global threat of antibiotic resistance requires a coordinated ‘One Health’ approach that recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Key strategies include: improving infection prevention through vaccination and hygiene, reducing unnecessary agricultural use, investing in rapid diagnostic tests to distinguish viral from bacterial infections, and creating new economic models to incentivise antibiotic research. Countries like the United Kingdom have introduced ‘subscription’ models, where governments pay pharmaceutical companies upfront for access to antibiotics, regardless of how many doses are sold.

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