HealthInfo Canterbury
Overview of antibiotic-resistant infections
Tirohanga whānui ki ngā pokenga whawhai rongoā paturopi
Infections caused by bacteria (germs) are often treated with antibiotics. Unfortunately, some bacteria no longer respond to common antibiotics. This means the bacteria continues to cause infection.
This is called being antibiotic resistant. These bacteria are also known as multi-drug-resistant organisms (MDRO).
Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria are difficult to treat. Although these types of infection are still rare, they're increasing in New Zealand, both in healthcare facilities and in the community. They're also a major public health problem worldwide.
The best ways to prevent the spread of these resistant bacteria are by:
- doctors avoiding overprescribing antibiotic drugs
- good hand hygiene such as hand washing or using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser after using the toilet, before meals and before touching open wounds
- keeping wounds and cuts clean and covered until they're healed.
The other pages in this section provide information about the most common MDROs, CPE (carbapenemase-producing enterobacteriaceae), ESBL (extended-spectrum beta-lactamases), MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and VRE (vancomycin-resistant enterococci).
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed May 2022.
SourcesReview key: HIMDR-85207
