The threat of antibiotic resistance is worsening. What can you do?

Geneva (dpa) – Bacteria are rapidly developing resistance to antibiotics, the World Health Organization (WHO) says, calling on people around the world to help get the problem under control. "Antimicrobial resistance is widespread and threatening the future of modern medicine," says Yvan Hutin, director of the relevant WHO department, in a warning from the body on Monday. One in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections are now caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens, the WHO said, citing an analysis based on around 23 million data points from more than 100 countries. So what can we do? Hutin advises us to reduce the risk of infection both at home and in hospitals by frequently washing our hands and using disinfectant gel, as well as by making sure we have any vaccines recommended by o