European antibiotic awareness day

European antibiotic awareness day was on Saturday 18th November. This campaign aims to increase awareness of global antibiotic resistance and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.  This page tell you what you can do to ensure that the antibiotics that we use remain effective.

What is antibiotic resistance?

Antibiotic resistance means that medicines used to treat infections no longer kill bacteria as well as they used to. Resistance happens, to some extent, over time.  However, resistance develops much more quickly when people take antibiotics even when the do not have a bacterial infection. If resistance continues faster than new antibiotics can be developed, then people who are having routine surgery and chemotherapy could be at greater risk of a fatal infection. However, there are things that we can do to reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Effective hand washing

You can reduce your risk of infection with effective hand washing. The poster below gives details and you can find out more on the World Health Organisation website

Do not ask your GP for antibiotics for minor ailments

You can avoid going to see your GP with minor ailments such as colds and sore throats. The majority of cold and flu symptoms will be over in 4-5 days. Complete recovery can take up to 10 days and sometimes longer. There is no ‘cure’ but you can treat the symptoms with some practical self-help measures and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. Your pharmacist can advise on what OTC medicines are best for you. To find out more go to http://www.treatyourselfbetter.co.uk/  Call into one of our pharmacies  If you are not sure if you need to see your GP with specific symptoms.

Become an antibiotic guardian

Members of the public, students, educators and healthcare professionals can all become antibiotic guardians. This means that you will make a commitment to reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance. Members of the public can choose from pledges for adults, families and horse and pet owners.

Return unused antibiotics to the pharmacy

You should complete your course of antibiotics unless your doctor advises you otherwise. Never take antibiotics prescribed for someone else. Finally, if you have any unused antibiotics at home please return them to one of our pharmacies so that they can be safely destroyed.