Final answer:
Antibiotics have become less successful in treating illnesses due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Proper use and prescription of antibiotics are important to prevent further resistance. Researchers are working on finding new antibiotics and alternative treatments.
Step-by-step explanation:
Antibiotics have become less successful in treating illnesses they were several years ago due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. When antibiotics are used frequently or inappropriately, bacteria can develop resistance to them, making the drugs less effective. This is why it is important to use antibiotics only when necessary and as prescribed by a healthcare professional.
For example, if a person takes antibiotics for a viral infection like the common cold, it will not be effective because antibiotics only work against bacterial infections. In addition, overuse and misuse of antibiotics in agriculture and livestock farming have also contributed to the development of antibiotic resistance.
To address this problem, researchers are continuously working on developing new antibiotics and finding alternative treatments, such as phage therapy which uses viruses to target and kill bacteria. However, the process of developing and approving new antibiotics is lengthy and expensive, which makes it challenging to keep up with the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.