Drug-resistant infections pose a growing challenge to health care in the United States, according to an updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report based on 2023 data. The CDC estimates that resistant bacteria and fungi cause approximately 9.7 million infections and 50,800 deaths nationwide each year.
The CDC’s 2019 report estimated 2.8 million infections and 35,000 deaths. Officials say some of the increase reflects a rise in infections caused by particular resistant pathogens. Changes in data sources and methods also contributed, however, so the two reports should not be directly compared. Infections that commonly occur among hospitalized patients account for more than 42,000 deaths and cost the U.S. health care system more than $12 billion, according to the updated report.
The report identifies 19 resistant pathogens: four classified as urgent threats, 13 as serious threats and two as concerning. The urgent group includes the fungus Candida auris and three bacterial threats: carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, known as CRE, and drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which causes gonorrhea.
Candida auris can spread in health care facilities and affect vulnerable patients. Its reported cases rose by more than 50% between 2022 and 2023. CRE can be difficult to treat, particularly in patients using devices such as ventilators or catheters. Gonorrhea has fewer effective antibiotic treatment options; untreated infection can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility.
Experts identify antibiotic overuse as one contributor to resistance. Antibiotics do not treat viral infections. When antibiotics are used unnecessarily or for too long, susceptible bacteria may die while resistant bacteria survive and spread. Hospitals and professional organizations are promoting antibiotic stewardship, stronger infection control and the development of new treatments. Individuals can help by washing their hands, taking antibiotics only as prescribed and not requesting them for viral illnesses such as colds and the flu.