Antibiotics: what impact on the microbiota and on our health?

Despite their undeniable usefulness in the fight against infections, antibiotics today pose serious public health challenges: their excessive and inappropriate use leads to the emergence of numerous resistances, which, in the long term, could eventually make them ineffective. Moreover, antibiotics can also destroy certain beneficial bacteria within our microbiota.

Created 12 October 2022
Updated 23 January 2023
Antibiotics: what impact on the microbiota and on our health?

About this article

Created 12 October 2022
Updated 23 January 2023

Table of contents

Table of contents

On the occasion of the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week organized each year by the WHO, the Biocodex Microbiota Institute makes a full review.

What is the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week?

Each year, since 2015, the WHO organizes the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW), which aims to increase awareness of global antimicrobial resistance. 

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi change over time and no longer respond to medicines. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective and infections become increasingly difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.

Held on 18-24 November, this campaign encourages the general public, healthcare professionals and decision-makers to use antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics carefully, to prevent the further emergence of antimicrobial resistance.

Antibiotics: how do they impact our microbiota?

Antibiotics: what impact on the intestinal microbiota?

Negative effects on the microbiota in the short and medium term…

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Antibiotics destroy the species responsible for infections but also the good ba…

Antibiotics: what are the long-term effects on our health?

Microbiota, asthma and antibiotics: it's all in the nose!

We know that taking antibiotics while infant exposes them to a higher risk of a…

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Children exposed to antibiotics early have a greater risk of developing celiac …

Antibiotics: why is antibiotic-associated diarrhea under the spotlight?

Is it normal that antibiotics give my child diarrhea?

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Antibiotics: what is "antibiotic resistance"?

Antimicrobial resistance: a global threat, an international response

A veritable health time bomb, antimicrobial resistance is in the sights of the …

Antibiotic resistance: an odd “souvenir” from exotic destinations

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Antibiotics: can we protect our microbiota?

What are probiotics?

What benefit? What does it get me?

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