Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Study Links Widespread Use of Antibiotics During COVID To Surge In AMR Cases

The widespread use of <span>Azithromycin</span> to treat hospitalized patients during the COVID-19 pandemic increased the risk of antimicrobial resistance -- a major global health problem, according to a new study, published in the journal Nature Microbiology. 

Scientists at the University of California-San Francisco (UCSF) noted that using azithromycin inappropriately for even a single day can trigger <span>antibiotic resistance</span> in the respiratory tract. 

While azithromycin is effective against bacterial infections that cause strep throat, pneumonia, and sexually transmitted diseases, it does not work against viruses. 

"We've known for years that antibiotics don't treat viral infections, but these results were striking," said Chaz Langelier, from UCSF.

"That we could see resistance genes turning on in the respiratory tract within a day tells us the consequences of unnecessary antibiotic use aren't theoretical or long-term. They're immediate, measurable, and biologically real," Langelier added. 

The study analyzed nasal swabs of 1,164 adults hospitalized for <span>COVID</span>-19 to examine the changes that occurred in the microbiome of hospitalized patients who were treated for COVID. 

Compared to people who received no antibiotics, patients administered azithromycin reported changes that persisted for more than a week. These include: 

<ul><li>Changes in the mix of microbes in the upper airway </li><li>Decrease in harmless bacteria,</li><li>Surge in potentially harmful bacteria such as <span rel="noindex">Staphylococcus</span> and <span rel="noindex">Klebsiella</span>.</li></ul>Importantly, the changes “did not go back to baseline and recover after a week,” Langelier was quoted as saying to CIDRAP News. “It really suggests that even a small amount of exposure has measurable biological consequences.”

<h2>Rising Global Antimicrobial Resistance </h2>

Antimicrobial resistance (<span>AMR</span>) occurs when germs develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them.

It is one of the 10 top global health threats, undermining the effectiveness of essential treatments and placing millions at risk of untreatable infections.

As per WHO data, AMR is an urgent global public health threat, killing at least 1.27 million people worldwide and associated with nearly 5 million deaths in 2019.

In the US alone, more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur each year. More than 35,000 people die as a result, according to the <span>CDC</span>'s 2019 Antibiotic Resistance (AR) Threats Report. 

The WHO, in a 2025 report, noted that one in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections causing common infections in people worldwide in 2023 were resistant to antibiotic treatments. 

Between 2018 and 2023, antibiotic resistance rose in over 40 percent of the monitored antibiotics with an average annual increase of 5-15 percent. 

<h2>US Early Death Toll During COVID Much Higher </h2>

About 16 per cent of COVID-19 deaths went uncounted early in the pandemic in the US, according to a separate study, published by the journal Science Advances. 

While about 840,000 COVID deaths were reported on death certificates in 2020 and 2021, the researchers using artificial intelligence (AI) decoded that as many as 155,000 unrecognised additional deaths likely occurred in that time outside of hospitals. 

Health Conditions A-Z

health

covid

azithromycin

klebsiella

staphylococcus

covid 19

antibiotic resistance

How Does Your DNA Affect Your Daily Food Intake?

World Happiness Report 2026 Flags Social Media Harms On Adolescents' Mental Well-being

Health News

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

The widespread use of Azithromycin to treat hospitalized patients during the COVID-19 pandemic increased the risk of antimicrobial resistance -- a major global health problem, according to a new study, published in the journal Nature Microbiology. Scientists at the University of California-San Francisco (UCSF) noted that using azithromycin inappropriately for even a single day can trigger antibiotic resistance in the respiratory tract. While azithromycin is effective against bacterial infections that cause strep throat, pneumonia, and sexually transmitted diseases, it does not work against viruses. "We've known for years that antibiotics don't treat viral infections, but these results were striking," said Chaz Langelier, from UCSF. "That we could see resistance genes turning on in the respiratory tract within a day tells us the consequences of unnecessary antibiotic use aren't theoretical or long-term. They're immediate, measurable, and biologically real," Langelier added. The study analyzed nasal swabs of 1,164 adults hospitalized for COVID-19 to examine the changes that occurred in the microbiome of hospitalized patients who were treated for COVID.  Compared to people who received no antibiotics, patients administered azithromycin reported changes that persisted for more than a week. These include: Changes in the mix of microbes in the upper airway Decrease in harmless bacteria,Surge in potentially harmful bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Klebsiella.Importantly, the changes “did not go back to baseline and recover after a week,” Langelier was quoted as saying to CIDRAP News. “It really suggests that even a small amount of exposure has measurable biological consequences.” Rising Global Antimicrobial Resistance Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when germs develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. It is one of the 10 top global health threats, undermining the effectiveness of essential treatments and placing millions at risk of untreatable infections. As per WHO data, AMR is an urgent global public health threat, killing at least 1.27 million people worldwide and associated with nearly 5 million deaths in 2019. In the US alone, more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur each year. More than 35,000 people die as a result, according to the CDC's 2019 Antibiotic Resistance (AR) Threats Report. The WHO, in a 2025 report, noted that one in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections causing common infections in people worldwide in 2023 were resistant to antibiotic treatments. Between 2018 and 2023, antibiotic resistance rose in over 40 percent of the monitored antibiotics with an average annual increase of 5-15 percent.  US Early Death Toll During COVID Much Higher About 16 per cent of COVID-19 deaths went uncounted early in the pandemic in the US, according to a separate study, published by the journal Science Advances.  While about 840,000 COVID deaths were reported on death certificates in 2020 and 2021, the researchers using artificial intelligence (AI) decoded that as many as 155,000 unrecognised additional deaths likely occurred in that time outside of hospitals. 