World Antimicrobial awareness week (WAAW) is from 18 – 24 November and aims to help increase awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance.
As part of the awareness week, NHS Ayrshire & Arran is hoping to increase awareness of antimicrobial resistance and to make sure everyone plays their part in stopping the spread of drug-resistant infections.
Residents in Ayrshire and Arran are also being encouraged to return old or unused antibiotics to their local community pharmacy to ensure safe disposal. Antibiotics should never be saved for later or shared with others. Contaminating the environment and water courses with antibiotic residues can also spread resistance genes among bacteria.
Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials, such as taking antibiotics when they are not needed, can cause bacteria to become resistant. This is known as Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and happens when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to these medicines meaning current treatments will no longer work.
Roisin Kavanagh, Director of Pharmacy, explains what this can mean: “If antimicrobial medicines become ineffective, it becomes much more difficult to treat infections. This can mean longer hospital stays for patients, longer recovery times and in certain circumstances can even lead to death.
“There are things you can do to help prevent antimicrobial resistance. By reducing the risk of infection through washing your hands, limiting close contact with those who are sick and keeping your vaccinations up to date. And it is important to remember, not all infections can be treated with antimicrobials.”
You can also help by:
- Only taking antimicrobial medications that are prescribed to you, do not share them with family or friends.
- Always seeking the advice of a qualified health care professional when taking antibiotics.
- Not demanding antibiotics if your health care professional says you don’t need them. Not all infections can be treated with these medications.
- Always finishing a prescribed course of antibiotics even if you already start to feel better.
- Return any old or unused antibiotics to your local pharmacy to be disposed of appropriately.