Misuse of antibiotics threatens to undermine the progress that has been made in medicine over recent decades and overuse of antibiotics makes patients less likely to respond to treatment.
Taking antibiotics when they aren’t needed means that they might not work when you really need them for a serious infection. That is why the action on antibiotics campaign - supported by the Department of Health, Health Service Executive (HSE), Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), Irish Pharmacy Union, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – is aiming to raise public and professional awareness on the correct use of antibiotics and to preserve this precious resource for the use of future generations.
European Antibiotic Awareness Day takes place on the 18th November 2015 and will be marked with an all day event at the RCPI to raise awareness amongst health professionals about using antibiotics wisely. To attend the event or for more information click here.
A casual attitude to antibiotics is damaging their effectiveness and we are seeing an alarming rise in infections caused by so called ‘superbugs’, such as MRSA and multiple-resistant strains of E.coli. In addition, excessive antibiotic use is associated with avoidable adverse events, like drug toxicities, allergic reactions, and secondary infections (such as C. difficile infection).
Leading clinicians from the HSE, general practice, hospital care, surgery, dentistry and pharmacy all agree that everyone has an important role to play in ensuring correct use of antibiotics, and tackling the global health threat of antibiotic resistance. The evidence is very clear – overuse and misuse of antibiotics has allowed bacteria to develop resistance and they are becoming immune to the drugs we use to defend ourselves against them.
Antibiotics have utterly transformed modern medicine. Before antibiotics were available, common injuries such as cuts and scratches that became infected could result in death or serious illness because there was no treatment available. Thankfully, we now have antibiotics available to treat these infections. However antibiotics must be used appropriately and by misusing them we face the risk of returning to the pre-antibiotic era.
What can patients and other members of the public do?
The HSE, in partnership with pharmacists and general practitioners has developed a website which gives practical, common sense advice and information on dealing with many common illnesses like colds, flu, earaches, sore throats, tummy bugs and rashes.
www.undertheweather.ie provides the sound advice required to give us the confidence and skill we need to take care of ourselves and our families without resorting to antibiotics,
Antibiotics should be used only as prescribed and when needed.
- Antibiotics don’t work for colds or flu. If you have a cold or flu, visit www.undertheweather.ie for advice on how to help yourself get better and ask your doctor for advice if you are concerned.
- Antibiotics should be taken exactly as prescribed - at the right time for the right duration.
- Always finish an antibiotic course – even if you feel a lot better. This is to ensure that all the bacteria are killed completely and that no survivors are left that could multiply and develop resistance.
What can health professionals do?
ICGP has been actively encouraging lower antibiotic usage rates for a number of years across its membership.
Antibiotics are not effective for the treatment of viruses such as head cold, flu, and chickenpox. They will not reduce a fever. They will not relieve a cough. They will not relieve pain. Most common infections are viral, and are treatable with rest and fluids. Both general practitioners and patients need to be constantly reminded that antibiotics are a valuable resource and should only be used appropriately. It is important to use simple effective safe narrow spectrum antibiotics where possible and keep the stronger broad spectrum antibiotics for more serious infections.
Campaign Information for Patients
Visit www.undertheweather.ie and www.hse.ie/antibiotics
Education and Information for GPs and dentists
New updated guidelines on prudent antibiotic prescribing have been developed to help promote the safe and effective use of antibiotics by GPs and dentists.
The mobile guidelines - available at www.antibioticprescribing.ie - are tablet, smart phone and PC friendly and are a great tool for health professionals. They provide an easy to follow guide to the empiric treatment of many common community onset infections.
In addition, online resources for GPs are available atwww.hse.ie/antibiotics.
Robert Cunney, HSE/RCPI Clinical Lead on AMR
