World Health Organisations Antibiotic Awareness Week 13th – 19th November 2017

World Health Organisations Antibiotic Awareness Week aims to build awareness around our precious resource. This week aims to help the wider community understand Antibiotic Resistance through 5 strategic objectives:

To improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance
To strengthen surveillance and research
To reduce the incidence of infection
To optimize the use of antimicrobial medicines
To ensure sustainable investment in countering antimicrobial resistance

Antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria and other microorganisms to resist the effects of an antibiotic – which they were once sensitive to. Antibiotic resistance is a major concern of the overuse of antibiotics, also known as drug resistance.

Behavioural changes and actions must be taken to reduce the spread of infections through vaccination, hand washing, practising safer sex, and good food hygiene.

The world urgently needs to change the way it prescribes and uses antibiotics. Health practitioners must use resources available, in line with current guidelines when prescribing. Individuals must only take antibiotics directly as they are prescribed, they must never share antibiotics or demand them if your health care workers says they are not necessary.

Without urgent action, we are heading for a post-antibiotic era, in which common infections and minor injuries can once again kill

QUICK FACTS:

Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development today
Antibiotic resistance can affect anyone, of any age, in any country
Antibiotic resistance occurs naturally, but misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals is accelerating the process
A growing number of infections – such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and gonorrhoea – are becoming harder to treat as the antibiotics used to treat them become less effective
Antibiotic resistance leads to longer hospital stays, higher medical costs and increased mortality