Antibiotics are crucial medicines used for treating bacterial infections in both humans and animals. However, bacteria can adapt and find ways to survive against the effects of antibiotics.
This means that antibiotics are becoming less effective at more increasing rates. The more often they are prescribed and used the larger the chance that bacteria will become resistant to treatment.
Antibiotic Resistance is a problem faced by all healthcare sites throughout England and Europe. The spread of resistant bacteria within a community healthcare setting and hospitals is a great risk to patient safety. Increases of resistant bacteria can lead to longer stays in hospital, likelihood of disease and death. By using antibiotics inappropriately it is possible for multiple patients to become infected with a resistant form of bacteria.
There are many ways to combat antibiotic awareness:
- administer your medication correctly as prescribed.
- do not skip doses of your medication.
- do not share your antibiotics with others.
- complete your full course, do not save them for later.
Inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics can also lead to antibiotic resistance. The wrong selection and incorrect duration of doses can also have an affect.
For any more information please speak to a pharmacist in you local Wilsons branch.
