Keep antibiotics working to protect yourself and others

Keep antibiotics working to protect yourself and others

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) might sound like a complicated problem, but it's something that affects us all. It happens when some germs change over time and learn to fight back against medicines like antibiotics that we use to kill them. This means the medicine might not work as well in the future.

Antimicrobial resistance happens if we don’t use antibiotics the correct way – like stopping them too early and using them for illnesses such as flu which antibiotics can’t fix. This can make infections much harder to treat and it can lead to longer illnesses, more doctor visits and stronger medication which may have more side effects.

The good news is we can all work together to take simple steps to prevent this and keep antibiotics working. Together, we can protect these important medicines!

Antibiotics are not for colds and flu – antibiotics won’t work on colds, flu and sore throats which are caused by viruses.

Take as directed by following advice from your GP, nurse or pharmacist – always take antibiotics exactly as prescribed. Remember to finish the entire course, even if you feel better. Stopping early gives the bacteria a chance to fight back and become resistant to that antibiotic.

Don’t use leftover antibiotics – if you have any leftover antibiotics, don’t save them for later or give them to someone else. Different illnesses need different treatments and using the wrong one can make you or others more ill. Return any unused medications to your local pharmacy so they can be disposed of properly.

Keep up good hygiene – Preventing infections reduces the need for antibiotics. Follow good hygiene by washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, make sure your food is cooked thoroughly, and stay up to date with flu and COVID vaccinations to protect your health and others.

Spread the Word - Talk to family and friends about the importance of using antibiotics responsibly. The more people who understand, the greater the impact we can make together.

Antibiotics are medicines that we all depend on to make us feel better. By taking small steps today, we can keep antibiotics working to protect ourselves and others.