The campaign to help keep antibiotics working and tackle the threat of antibiotic resistance has been relaunched for European Antibiotic Awareness Day on 18 November.
The awareness day, which falls during World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW, 18 – 24 November), is a campaign to encourage people to use antibiotics appropriately. We’re reminded that taking antibiotics when you don’t need them can result in harmful bacteria becoming resistant – and antibiotics may not work when you really need them.
Since they were first introduced over 80 years ago, antibiotics have dramatically reduced the number of deaths from infectious diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis and tuberculosis. Antibiotics are also used to avoid infections during cancer treatments, Caesarean sections and other surgery.
The theme for WAAW 2025 is ‘Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future.’
Earlier this year the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) launched a campaign headed by its mascot, ‘Andi Biotic’. ‘Andi’ is on a mission to make people aware of when and how to take antibiotics to help preserve their effectiveness today and for future generations.
The campaign highlights three simple but powerful ways people can help to keep antibiotics working:
- Don’t take antibiotics for colds and flu – they won’t help because these illnesses are caused by viruses, not bacteria
- Never save antibiotics for later use – they may not work properly and could make the problem worse
- When prescribed antibiotics, take them exactly as directed by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist
Cllr Christine Bannon, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Health said: “Drug resistant bacteria are difficult to treat, and they may be impossible to treat in vulnerable people or people with weak immune systems. Using antibiotics correctly is important for us all, but particularly those who are at a higher risk from infections.
“Unless we all work together to preserve these vital drugs, ordinary infections could once again kill us, because they cannot be treated by antibiotics. Routine operations such as hip replacements could become deadly because of the risk of infection.
“Use antibiotics correctly to keep them working when you and your family need them most.”
For more information about the correct use of antibiotics visit: Antibiotics – NHS