In 1928, Dr. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin by accident, marking the beginning of antibiotics in medicine. Penicillin effectively treated deadly diseases like pneumonia, tuberculosis, and diphtheria, earning Fleming a Nobel Prize. However, antibiotics only target bacteria, not viruses. Bacteria can quickly evolve resistance through DNA mutations, posing a significant challenge. This resistance necessitates the continuous development of new antibiotics and careful management of their use to stay ahead in the biological arms race.

Why is antibiotic resistance considered a growing problem?

What measures are suggested to combat antibiotic resistance?