Rob woke up on New Year’s Day 2012 with a terrible headache—but it wasn’t from celebrating the night before. What followed was a life-changing diagnosis of Valley fever, a serious fungal infection that spread throughout his body. When several antifungal medicines failed because of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), he was forced to rely on treatments with serious side effects, including one that may have contributed to skin cancer. Today, Rob is an advocate for Valley Fever and AMR, working with healthcare leaders, patients and governments to advance research and expand access to better treatment options for everyone. AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines, like antibiotics. The World Health Organization’s ‘AMR is invisible, I am not’ campaign puts advocates—like Rob from the WHO Task Force of AMR survivors—front and centre, to share their stories, raise awareness and urge action to address AMR.

After completing her Master’s degree in 2017, Bhakti was excited to begin her career. But swelling on the right side of her neck marked the beginning of an unexpected health journey. Initially treated with antibiotics, the swelling did not improve, leading her to consult an ENT specialist who suspected tuberculosis (TB). In this video, Bhakti shares her personal experience with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and the importance of raising awareness about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and responsible use of antibiotics. AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines, like antibiotics. The World Health Organization’s ‘AMR is invisible, I am not’ campaign puts advocates—like Bhakti from the WHO Task Force of AMR survivors—front and centre, to share their stories, raise awareness and urge action to address AMR.

A fall in the bathroom changed John’s life forever. After fracturing his hip, John underwent surgery to repair the injury. What should have been the start of his recovery turned into a year-long battle with drug-resistant surgical site infection leading to multiple surgeries and rounds of antibiotics. After testing 18 antibiotics, one was found to be effective against the “super bugs” causing John’s drug-resistant infection. Today, he has recovered, but the infection left him with a permanently shortened leg and dependent on crutches. Now, he is using his experience to advocate for greater awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the importance of infection, prevention and control. AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines, like antibiotics. The World Health Organization’s ‘AMR is invisible, I am not’ campaign puts advocates—like John’s from the WHO Task Force of AMR survivors—front and centre, to share their stories, raise awareness and urge action to address AMR. Find out more about the campaign and AMR on WHO’s website:

After undergoing kidney stone surgery in 2020, Mashood developed a drug-resistant urinary tract infection that was initially misdiagnosed and later complicated by COVID-19. After months of unsuccessful treatment with multiple antibiotics, diagnostic testing identified the specific antibiotic effective against the microorganism causing his infection, leading to his recovery. Now an advocate for patient engagement in the global response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), Mashood uses his experience to raise awareness about the urgent need for accurate diagnosis, responsible antibiotic use, and stronger infection, prevention and control in health systems. AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines, like antibiotics. The World Health Organization’s ‘AMR is invisible, I am not’ campaign puts advocates—like Mashood from the WHO Task Force of AMR survivors—front and centre, to share their stories, raise awareness and urge action to address AMR.