By Dr. Anu Kumar

In the quiet corners of hospitals, inside ordinary homes, and even in our food systems, an invisible war is being waged—a war against microbes we once controlled. Antibiotics, hailed as miracle drugs in the 20th century, are now losing their power. The rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most urgent and under-discussed public health threats of our time.

AMR happens when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve and become resistant to the medicines we use to kill them. These "superbugs" are not just science fiction—they are very real. In 2019 alone, nearly 5 million deaths globally were associated with drug-resistant infections. What was once curable in days can now become a life-threatening illness.

Why is this happening? Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans, agriculture, and animal farming are key drivers. In many parts of the world, antibiotics can be purchased without prescription. Livestock are routinely fed antibiotics not just to treat disease, but to speed up growth. This overexposure gives bacteria a chance to adapt—and adapt they do.

The COVID-19 pandemic showed us how rapidly an infectious disease can disrupt life. Now, imagine a future where even simple surgeries become deadly due to infection risks that antibiotics can no longer treat. That’s not a distant dystopia—it could be our reality by 2050, with 10 million projected deaths annually if we do not act now.

As a microbiologist, I believe awareness is the first line of defense. The public needs to understand that antibiotics are not cure-alls. Doctors must prescribe them judiciously. Policymakers need to support stricter regulations and invest in research for new drugs, vaccines, and alternative therapies. Importantly, better sanitation, clean water access, and routine diagnostics can prevent infections before they start.

The battle against AMR is not just a medical issue—it’s a social, economic, and ethical one. It affects all of us. The next time you think of antibiotics, remember: they’re precious, not disposable. Every dose counts.

Let’s not wait until the post-antibiotic era becomes a reality. Let’s act, inform, and innovate—while we still have time.

(Writer is an Associate Professor of Biotechnology Deptt. Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab)