10 November 2015
Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats facing us today. Without effective antibiotics many routine treatments will become increasingly dangerous. Setting broken bones, basic operations, even chemotherapy all rely on access to antibiotics that work.
European Antibiotic Awareness Day on Wednesday 18 November is a European-wide annual event that aims to raise awareness on how to use antibiotics in a responsible way that will help keep them effective for the future.
By cutting down on unnecessary antibiotics we can slow down resistance making antibiotics work better when they are essential to recovery.
This year, as part of raising awareness, everyone in the Scottish Borders whether as a member of the public or in the medical community are being asked to join the 16415[1] become Antibiotic Guardians by make a pledge online at www.antibioticguardian.com.
Dr Ed James, NHS Borders Consultant Microbiologist said: “many people receive antibiotics when they attend their doctor for infections that would more often than not get better without antibiotics. For many coughs and colds, earaches and sore throats, antibiotics can make little difference to how long you feel unwell. They may give you side effects that you wouldn’t have without them and they will contribute to antibiotic resistance in the future affecting you and those close to you. See your doctor if you are worried by your symptoms but they may decide that antibiotics are not the best treatment.
By choosing one simple pledge about how you’ll make better use of antibiotics, you can help save these vital medicines from becoming obsolete. It is better to save them for when you really need them to work.”
He added: “Local pharmacies are well placed to give advice on over the counter medicines to help symptoms.”
For more information on how you can make a pledge and raise awareness this European Antibiotic Awareness day please visit www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk or www.antibioticguardian.com.
16415 is the number of pledges on www.antibioticguardian.com as of 9 November 2015.
Antibiotics are essential medicines for treating bacterial infections in both humans and animals.
Antibiotics are losing their effectiveness at an increasing rate as resistance in the drug becomes greater.
Bacteria can adapt and find ways to survive the effects of an antibiotic. They become ‘antibiotic resistant’, so that the antibiotic no longer works. The more you use an antibiotic, the more bacteria become resistant to it.
Antibiotics should be taken as prescribed, never save for later or shared with others; it is important to use antibiotics in the right way, the right drug, at the right dose, at the right time for the right duration. Appropriate use of antibiotics will slow down the development of antibiotic resistance.
There are very few new antibiotics in the development pipeline, which is why it is important we use our existing antibiotics wisely and make sure these life-saving medicines continue to stay effective for ourselves and future generations.
Many antibiotics are prescribed and used for mild infections when they don’t need to be. All colds and most coughs, sinusitis, otitis media (earache) and sore throats often get better without antibiotics.
Community pharmacists are well placed to help provide advice on over the counter medicines to treat symptoms.
Individuals (the public, healthcare professionals and leaders) can take action by choosing a pledge and becoming an Antibiotic Guardian at www.antibioticguardian.com