The primary catalyst behind this accelerating crisis is the profound misuse and overuse of antibiotics worldwide. In human medicine, patients frequently demand antibiotics for viral infections like the common cold or influenza, against which these drugs are completely ineffective. Healthcare providers often prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics prematurely due to diagnostic uncertainty or pressure from patients. Furthermore, in many developing nations, potent antibiotics are sold over the counter without a prescription. This lack of regulation allows untrained individuals to self-medicate, frequently using incorrect dosages or failing to complete the full course of treatment, which creates ideal conditions for resistance to develop.
The primary catalyst accelerating this crisis is the systemic misuse and overprescription of antimicrobial drugs. Worldwide, countless patients demand antibiotics for viral infections like influenza or the common cold, conditions against which these medications are completely ineffective. Physicians, frequently operating under severe time constraints or practicing defensive medicine, often acquiesce to these demands. Furthermore, in many developing regions, over-the-counter access to antibiotics remains entirely unregulated. This allows individuals to self-medicate with inappropriate dosages or terminate their treatment courses prematurely, leaving behind partially resistant bacterial strains that quickly adapt and multiply.
The consequences of antibiotic resistance are far-reaching and can have devastating effects on global health. Some of the potential consequences include:
The main causes of antibiotic resistance are: The primary catalyst behind this accelerating crisis is
According to the passage, why are antibiotics sometimes prescribed for viral infections? A) They are effective against viruses. B) Doctors are uncertain of the diagnosis or patients expect them. C) Viral infections become bacterial over time. D) There are no other treatments available.
The global threat of antibiotic resistance is a pressing concern, with the WHO describing it as a "global health emergency." The spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria knows no borders, and the consequences of inaction will be severe. Some of the key statistics highlighting the global threat of antibiotic resistance include:
Filling in blanks using exact words from the text, adhering strictly to word counts (e.g., NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS ). is a major factor.
: Paragraph E closes with the sentence: "As a direct result, almost all major pharmaceutical conglomerates have completely abandoned their antimicrobial research pipelines." "Pharmaceutical conglomerates" matches "pharmaceutical giants," and "abandoned" matches "stopped trying to find and develop." 13. Answer: NOT GIVEN
Sample IELTS reading answers:
The growing global threat of antibiotic resistance adhering strictly to word counts (e.g.
For IELTS test-takers, understanding the topic of antibiotic resistance is essential, as it is a common theme in IELTS reading passages. Here are some tips and sample answers to help you prepare:
: Human negligence, such as not finishing a prescribed course or using antibiotics for viral infections like the common cold, is a major factor. Global Impact