Antibiotic Resistance on the rise - European Antibiotics Awareness Day

Antibiotics are losing their effectiveness at an unforeseen pace, caused by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. The health impact of antibiotic-resistant infections is comparable to that of influenza, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS combined.

This European Antibiotics Awareness Day (EAAD), the HSE is reminding everyone how valuable antibiotics are and how important it is that we only use them when needed. Antibiotics cannot help if the infection is caused by a virus.

Dr Eimear Brannigan, HSE National Clinical Lead for Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control (AMRIC) says:

“Antibiotics are lifesaving drugs when used appropriately to treat bacterial infections, and are usually very safe for us. We have become reliant on antibiotics being effective to treat or prevent infection during many of our routine operations, treatments and for critical surgery such as organ transplants, cancer treatment and many illnesses.”

Unfortunately, over the last 100 years or so a lot of antibiotics have been used in people, animals and crops, often when they were not always appropriate. Because of this antibiotic use, many bacteria have adapted so that antibiotics no longer work as well as they did 20 years ago. Bacteria or bugs become resistant to different types of antibiotics. These are sometimes called superbugs. So, antibiotics that once worked well to treat an infection may no longer work as well as before or, do not work at all. This is known as antibiotic resistance.”

What can be done?

Everyone is responsible and can make a difference in addressing this growing threat. Prudent use of antibiotics is important;

• use antibiotics only when prescribed and as prescribed
• use good infection prevention control practices to prevent infections spreading.

Dr Scott Walkin, GP and the Irish College of GPs lead for Antimicrobial Resistance says:

“A key message of EAAD is to use antibiotics only when they are likely to help someone who is sick get better.  Antibiotics do not help you to get better any quicker if the infection is caused by a virus.  As a GP I still get some requests for antibiotics from people who have colds and flus or for their children. Antibiotics will not help them and in fact can cause side effects like upset tummies, nausea or skin rash. It is safer for you not to take an antibiotic you do not need, because antibiotics, like all medicines, can have side effects. Vaccination reduces many viral infections, so it is important for us all to be fully vaccinated.”

EAAD is a European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) annual event which coincides with World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) which is organised annually by the World Health Organisation (WHO).