The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has launched a new campaign to help raise awareness about how antimicrobials (including antibiotics) work and what we need to do to keep them working in the future.
What are antibiotics?
Antimicrobials, including antibiotics, are used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals, and plants. They work by killing the bacteria that causes infections.
Antibiotic resistant bacteria of any kind are less likely to respond to treatment. This can cause serious complications like sepsis and lead to people needing hospital treatment.
Using antibiotics too much or when we don’t need to means that some of the the microorganisms (bugs) they target, evolve to survive and the antimicrobials stop working. This is called antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
We don’t need to take antibiotics for infections caused by viruses. Illnesses such as colds, sore throats, or coughs are all caused by viruses, not bacteria.
How to keep antibiotics working
The new campaign aims to raise awareness about what antibiotics can be used for. It also aims to help people understand when to take them:
- Antibiotics are not for colds and flu
- You should not save them for later
- They should only be taken as directed (by your GP or pharmacist)
Why we need to keep antibiotics working
If we use antibiotics when we don’t need them or too often, the microbes and bugs that they are designed to treat will become resistant. This means that antibiotics won’t work when we need them to. This puts you and your family at risk of a more severe or longer illness. Antibiotic resistant bacteria can also spread to other people (and animals) in close contact with you and are very difficult to treat.
How can I help keep antibiotics working?
The important messages from the campaign are:
- Antibiotics should only be taken when prescribed by a health professional.
- It is important that you always take them as directed. Never save them for later and never share them with others.
- Your medicine will have a label stuck to it reminding you how to take them.
- Using antibiotics too often or when you don’t need them also allow other more harmful bacteria to increase.
- When you are prescribed antibiotics, if you have any left over, don’t throw them away or flush down the toilet. Take them to a pharmacy who can dispose of them correctly.
The UKHSA have written a blog with lots of information and advice to help you keep antibiotics working. You can read the blog here.
Find out more about AMR on the NHS website
