Can you become resistant to antibiotics?

It is not people who become immune or resistant to an antibiotic. Rather it is the bacteria responsible for infections that become resistant. The purpose of an antibiotic is to kill--or at least inhibit the growth of--bacteria to quell an infection. ... Misuse or overuse of antibiotics selects for resistant bacteria. read more

If you stop before the infection is completely wiped out, those bacteria are more likely to become drug-resistant. Get vaccinated. Immunizations can protect you against some diseases that are treated with antibiotics. They include tetanus and whooping cough. Stay safe in the hospital. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are commonly found in hospitals. read more

The concept of antibiotic immunity is a misnomer that can lead people to believe that they may become "immune" or "resistant" to an antibiotic if they take it too frequently or inappropriately. This notion stems from a misunderstanding in the general public of the concept of antibiotic resistance. read more

Whenever you take antibiotics, you kill off some of these beneficial bugs. Using antibiotics indiscriminately can blow away most of the bacteria normally in your body, opening the door for more sinister strains to establish themselves in their place. read more