Luke Taylor PortsmouthThe use of antimicrobials against covid-19 is driving a surge in drug resistant infections in the Americas, WHO’s Americas’ branch, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), has said. More than 90% of patients admitted to hospital for covid-19 in the Americas were prescribed an antimicrobial, but only 7% needed them to treat a secondary infection. “Thanks to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics and other antimicrobials, we risk losing the drugs we rely on to treat common infections,” said Etienne. New antimicrobials must also be developed as the world is reliant on a few treatments for a plethora of infections. This article is made freely available for use in accordance with BMJ's website terms and conditions for the duration of the covid-19 pandemic or until otherwise determined by BMJ.

Source: New York Times November 18, 2021 17:12 UTC