Various pathogens such as bacteria, fungi or viruses can cause infectious diseases (also known as contagious or communicable diseases). In the case of diseases caused by bacteria, thousands of people died from bacterial diseases, even mild or superficial infections, before the discovery of antibiotics.

Since the discovery of antibiotics, we actually have an effective remedy against such bacterial infections. However, more and more bacteria have developed sophisticated resistance mechanisms to overcome the effect of antibiotics and are no longer susceptible. Increasing antibiotic resistance is a worrying phenomenon because antibiotics play a crucial role in combating bacterial infections. Resistance causes deaths, longer hospital stays and higher healthcare costs. An increase in infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be observed worldwide, which is also becoming increasingly noticeable in Switzerland for certain pathogens.¹

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the careful use of available therapies and the development and provision of new antimicrobial agents is one of the top priorities for our global society in order to tackle this problem.²

¹ https://www.anresis.ch/de/antibiotikaresistenz/ (accessed: 05.12.23)
² https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance (accessed: 05.12.23)