Role of antibiotics in hospital-acquired infections and community-acquired infections

The chapter introduces the concepts of antibiotics since their discovery, their use, overuse, and how it led to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Then, it introduces the concepts of hospital- and community-acquired infections and discusses at length the antibiotic therapy to be followed and the common misbeliefs regarding antibiotic use. The importance of clinical judgment and decision in treatment of infections has been emphasized. Readers are then made aware about the various activities toward the rational use of antibiotics. Challenges in implementation of various steps toward judicious use of antibiotics has been discussed with reference to low resource settings. Last, the newer concepts of “One Health” and “Diagnostic Stewardship” and their direct role in reducing antibiotic misuse has been included.