HPA North West in “use antibiotics responsibly” plea

18 November 2008

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) North West is campaigning to bust the myth that antibiotics are a cure for all ails. They don't work on viral illnesses such as colds, the flu and most coughs and sore throats and should not be prescribed for such.

Furthermore, inappropriate use of antibiotics is a major threat to public health and has contributed to the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections that are extremely difficult to treat.

The HPA North West is promoting effective use of antibiotics and campaigning to discourage their inappropriate use on the approach to the first ever European Antibiotic Awareness Day, which will be held on Tuesday 18 November.

Ruth Philp, a Nurse Consultant with HPA North West, said: "Appropriate use of antibiotics will safeguard their effectiveness into the future. If we continue to use them inappropriately they will lose effectiveness and we will have increasing problems with resistant bugs.

"Antibiotics don't work on viral illnesses such as colds and should not be requested by the public for these conditions. Colds, the flu and most coughs and sore throats are self-limiting infections from which patients will recover without any treatment other than rest and the taking of liquids to replace lost fluids.

"If symptoms are painful or unpleasant, local pharmacists will be able to recommend over-the-counter remedies that will ease the discomfort. However, these will not cure the underlying condition and it should be remembered that aspirin-based products should not be given to anyone under the age of 16."

European Antibiotic Awareness Day is providing public health authorities in 27 EU Member States with an opportunity to raise awareness of how antibiotics should be used in a responsible way that will keep them effective into the future.

Dr. Catherine Quigley, HPA North West Regional Epidemiologist, said: "Over the years we have seen the emergence of drug-resistant infections, such as MRSA, at least partly as a result of inappropriate use of antibiotics. Prescribing broad-spectrum antibiotics is a key factor in the increase in Clostridium difficile infections in recent years.

"There is an onus on all of us now to preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics into the future by encouraging their use is situations where they really will help the patient, but by being quite strong in refusing to prescribe them inappropriately.

"Responsible use of antibiotics will help reverse the trend towards antimicrobial resistance, which is why the HPA is keen to help health professionals improve their prescribing practice and to inform the public and carers of the sick, the elderly and children about when and how to take antibiotics responsibly."

Note to editors

Press release issued by Hugh Lamont, Communications Manager, HPA North West.

Key facts about antibiotics

Antibiotics are medicines used to treat infections caused by bacteria.
They do not work against infections caused by viruses, such as influenza, the common cold and many coughs, sore throats and chest infections.
If you take antibiotics when you do not need them, they may lose their ability to kill bacteria
Antibiotic resistance is growing. If bacteria keep "overpowering" antibiotics, we may run out of ways of killing these bacteria.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can cause serious infections that are very difficult to treat and can be spread to others in your family.
It is important for anyone who is prescribed antibiotics to finish the course of treatment and not to stop taking the medication when you feel better. Failure to finish a course of antibiotics contributes to the growth of "resistant" bacteria.

Further information on antibiotics including a comprehensive question and answer leaflet that may be downloaded is available on the following website.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Antibiotics/Pages/QA1.aspx?url=Pages/what-is-it.aspx

Last reviewed: 17 November 2008