HEALTH MATTERS
ALTHOUGH World Antibiotic Week was last week, the fight against inappropriate prescribing and use of antibiotics never ends.
Here in Eastern Cheshire we are below national average for antibiotic prescribing, in April 2019 we we’re in the 29th percentile for it but we can always do more.
And that’s why I’m urging everyone to sign up to become an antibiotic guardian to help spread the message even further.
Quite simply, antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest threats to public health with latest data confirming that, across the European Union, the number of patients infected by resistant bacteria is increasing.
It is therefore vital that awareness of this issue is raised and that antibiotics are used in a prudent manner to help slow down resistance and keep antibiotics effective for the use of future generations.
Overuse of antibiotics means they are losing their effectiveness as the bacteria are adapting and finding ways to survive.
While this is happening we are not creating enough new antibiotics to cope.
If current trends continue, global deaths will have risen to 10 million by 2050 at a cost of £66million to the global economy just from antibiotics.
Remember colds, blocked sinuses, most sore throats, and many other self-limiting conditions don’t respond to antibiotics and will clear up on their own. If you’ve got a virus, you’ll get a fever.
This means that your body is fighting the infection which is good, the first thing you should do is get plenty of rest and drink lots of water.
Here are three things you can do to help:
Don’t ask for antibiotics, consider alternatives and ask a pharmacist for the best option
Take them exactly as prescribed
Spread the word
It’s unlikely that you will be given antibiotics unless you absolutely need them.
This is to make sure your body can fight off infections when they become more serious.
Without your help, the NHS will not be able to achieve its target of halving inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics in the UK by 2020.
Change can’t wait!
Our time is running out.
Dr Graham Duce