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 07 November 2023
Antibiotics: what impact on the microbiota and on our health?

About this article

Created 12 October 2022
Updated 07 November 2023

Table of contents

Table of contents

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

What is the World AMR Awareness Week?

Each year, since 2015, the WHO organizes the World AMR 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…

6 things to know about antibiotics

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…

Especially before 1 year, antibiotics need to be handled with care

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?

Diarrhea can affect up to 80% of children on antibiotic treatment

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

Traveling: a public health issue?

Antibiotics: can we protect our microbiota?

What are probiotics?

What benefit? What does it get me?

International Microbiota Observatory

Discover the 2023 results

Recommended by our community

"Yes, handle with care or they will not ever work anymore, as all germs and microbes will be immune!" - Kathy Perratore

"We knew that somebody should have said that a long time ago" - Daniel Matthew Covey

"True." - Connie Booth

"True" - Linda LeBlanc

(From My health, my microbiota)

    See also