Website of the Department of Health

Why do we need a European Antibiotic Awareness Day?

The inappropriate use of antibiotics has become a serious threat to public health in Europe. Taking antibiotics for the wrong reasons or incorrectly causes bacteria to develop resistance against antibiotic treatments with a risk of rendering antibiotics ineffective in the future.

What is the aim of Antibiotic Awareness Day?

The aim of European Antibiotic Awareness Day is to emphasis the importance of taking antibiotics responsibly by putting an end to unnecessary use of antibiotics and encouraging people to follow their doctor’s instructions on how to take antibiotics in the appropriate way. The purpose of European Antibiotic Awareness day is to build on and reinforce the success of national campaigns on responsible use of antibiotics.

Why is responsible use of antibiotics important?

Keeping antibiotics effective is everyone’s responsibility. Responsible use of antibiotics can help reverse the growing trend of antimicrobial resistance and keep antibiotics effective for the use of future generations. On this basis, it is appropriate to inform the public, health professionals and carers of the sick, elderly and children about when and how to take antibiotics responsibly.

How will European Antibiotic Awareness Day help?

The annual European Antibiotic Awareness Day will raise the profile of campaigns across Europe to provide information on when and how to use
antibiotics responsibly.

How is the day being supported in the UK?

In the UK, the Department of Health’s Advisory Committee for Antibiotic Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection (ARHAI) is organising a national conference. The target audience will be health science journalists and health professionals and the event will be held at the Science Museum, South Kensington, London.

The aim of the day is to promote and coordinate initiatives to raise public awareness on antimicrobial resistance and appropriate use of antibiotics. This year’s conference will focus on the myths about antibiotics and include a series of short presentations on the:

• new schools programme ‘e-bug’
• size of the problem
• use of antibiotics in farming and agriculture
• new drugs.

Key facts about antibiotics

• Antibiotics are medicines used to treat infections caused by bacteria.
• Antibiotics are usually taken by mouth, but can sometimes be given into a vein (intravenous), into a muscle (intramuscular) or applied to the skin (topical).
• Antibiotics work by killing bacteria and/or preventing their growth.
• Different types of antibiotics treat different kinds of infection.
• Antibiotics are commonly prescribed for respiratory infections when most of these are caused by viruses not bacteria.
• Most patients are prescribed antibiotics without the doctor knowing the cause of the infection.
• Colds and coughs are caused by viruses, not bacteria so antibiotics will not help.
• If you take antibiotics when you don’t need them, they may lose their ability to kill bacteria.
• Antibiotic resistance is growing. If the bacteria keep “overpowering” the medicines we have, we may run out of ways to kill these bacteria.
• Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can cause serious infections and can be spread to others in your family.
• Antibiotics can give you side effects, such as diarrhoea.

How can I get involved?

The European Antibiotic Awareness Day targets health professionals e.g. doctors, nurses, pharmacists as much as the general public (particularly parents and teachers).

Here are several ideas on how to help support this initiative:

• Spread the word
• Talk about the European Antibiotic Awareness Day and its significance with your friends, family and colleagues.
• Help advertise the European Antibiotic Awareness Day in newsletters, on websites, in the media and on the Internet, by inserting a link on your website, in your e-mail signature or in your blog.
• Organise and participate in activities
  

Medical professionals

• If you are a medical professional, discuss with your patients about the importance of not over-using antibiotics and taking them correctly when prescribed.
• Put the Antibiotics! Do you need them? campaign posters on the wall in your practice and display copies of the campaign leaflet for information.

Teachers

• If you are a teacher, discuss with your students and their parents about the proper use of antibiotics, with the help of your school nurse.