The Public Health Agency is reminding the public of the importance of not misusing antibiotics this winter.
This week, AMR (Antimicrobial Resistance) Awareness week, running November 18- 24, 2024 the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the Public Health Agency (PHA) have joined forced to reiterate the importance to not use antibiotics to treat viral illnesses.
Antimicrobial resistance means antibiotics are becoming less effective at treating the bacterial infections they are needed for. To ‘misuse’ antibiotics this means using antibiotics to treat colds and flu.
According to the public health agency, the public uses more antibiotics than it needs to, and this overuse is making bacteria more resistant to medication.
Dr Declan Bradley, Deputy Director of Public Health at the Public Health Agency, said: “Antimicrobial resistance or AMR remains a serious public health threat and protecting essential medicines for the future relies on all of us acting now. In recent years, very few new antibiotics have been discovered.
“We need to protect the antibiotics we have to ensure they continue to work now and in the future. Everyone has a role to play in protecting antibiotics and their future depends on all of us acting together.”
Despite this happening what can the public do to restrict AMR from happening. Dr Declan Bradley, provided advice to take antibiotics safely.
“Most simple infections clear up on their own. Ask you pharmacist about over-the-counter medicines to help you to manage symptoms.
“Take your doctor’s advice and don’t expect to receive antibiotics for minor ailments and common infections. If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic, make sure you take it according to your doctor’s instructions.
“Return any unused antibiotics to your local pharmacy or your vet practice. Never share antibiotics with anyone else, including pets or don’t take antibiotics that haven’t been prescribed for you.
“Regularly washing your hands and keeping up to date with vaccinations to help prevent infections.”
If you are ever concerned about symptoms, you can contact your GP or doctor. Professor Cathy Harrison, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer (DoH), expressed her worries for the future of antibiotics.
“Antibiotics are now becoming less effective due to antibiotic resistance, and it is vital that we all act now to keep antibiotics working for the future. Antibiotics do not work against viral infections such as colds and flu.
“Your local community pharmacist can provide advice and appropriate treatment to help you feel better, without the need for a GP appointment. If you are prescribed an antibiotic, follow the directions for use carefully and always remember to complete the full recommended course.
“Any unused antibiotics should be returned to a community pharmacy for safe disposal. Attempting to dispose of antibiotics at home can contribute to pharmaceutical pollution of our waterways and further antibiotic resistance.”
For further information on the free flu or coronavirus jab if you are in an eligible group, see www.nidirect.gov.uk/wintervaccines. To use antibiotics correctly you can visit www.pha.site/antibiotics.
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