National surveillance figures for 2025 reveal more than 21,000 cases of antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections.
The number of antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections (bacteraemia) reported in England reached 21,129 in 2025, according to new surveillance data published by the UK Health Security Agency. That figure is up 16.8% compared with 2019, continuing an upward trend since 2019.
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in a way that stops the medicines designed to kill them from working. Bloodstream infections caused by these resistant bacteria are harder to treat and can become life-threatening more quickly than standard infections.
The UKHSA data were shared by the BMJ, which flagged the surveillance findings as part of ongoing national monitoring of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) — a long-standing public health concern tracked across England’s health systems.
So what does a resistant bloodstream infection actually look like? Symptoms can mirror those of any serious infection — high temperature, chills, rapid breathing, confusion, or feeling severely unwell very quickly. Anyone with those signs should call 999 or go to their nearest A&E. Don’t wait.
The rise in cases does not mean antibiotics have stopped working across the board. But it does reflect a pattern the NHS and UKHSA have been monitoring closely — that overuse and inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics, both in humans and animals, gradually erodes the effectiveness of medicines that millions of people depend on every year.
People can help slow resistance by only taking antibiotics when prescribed by a doctor or nurse, always completing the full course, and never sharing or saving leftover tablets.
Key information
- Symptoms of a serious bloodstream infection — high fever, chills, rapid breathing, sudden confusion, or feeling extremely unwell: call 999 immediately or go to A&E
- General health concerns: contact your GP or call NHS 111 (free, 24 hours a day)
- Do not request antibiotics for colds, flu, or most coughs — these are caused by viruses and antibiotics will not help
Source: @bmj_latest