What is the primary cause of the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria?

The emergence of drug-resistant bacteria is primarily attributed to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics. When antibiotics are used frequently or inappropriately—for example, when they are prescribed for viral infections where they have no effect—bacteria can develop resistance. This happens because the antibiotics kill off susceptible bacteria while allowing resistant strains to survive and multiply. Over time, these resistant strains become more prevalent, leading to infections that are much harder to treat.

Additionally, the overuse of antibiotics in both human medicine and agriculture contributes to this issue by promoting an environment where resistance can flourish. As more bacteria develop resistance mechanisms, the effectiveness of existing antibiotics diminishes, leading to increased morbidity and mortality associated with infections that were previously treatable.