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18/11/2010
'Get Well Without Antibiotics' Launched
A new drive to raise antibiotics awareness was launched today to remind the public that antibiotics do not work in treating viral infections such as coughs and colds.
The aim of the campaign is to emphasise the importance of taking antibiotics responsibly by putting an end to their unnecessary use and encouraging people to follow their GP's advice by using antibiotics appropriately.
The inappropriate use of antibiotics has become a serious problem in Europe which is why there is now an annual European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD).
The use of antibiotics gives bacteria the chance to develop resistance which threatens to make antibiotic treatments ineffective. This risk is increased by unnecessary antibiotic use with the need to preserve existing treatments for the future.
Chief Medical Officer (Interim) Professor Dame Sally Davies said: "As the season for coughs and colds approaches, the public are being reminded to 'Get well without antibiotics' because these drugs do not cure most coughs, colds and sore throats.
"The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of the risks in taking antibiotics for the wrong reasons, and to keep antibiotics effective for use in future generations."
Professor Steve Field, Chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said: "Patients need to know that antibiotics are not always the answer and certainly in the case of coughs and colds they are of little use. It can be very difficult for a GP having a consultation with a patient who expects antibiotics. Many patients think that antibiotics reduce the effects of coughs and colds when in fact these infections will often get better anyway without their use. Plenty of rest and lots of fluids will often help patients fight these infections much more effectively."
(BMcN/GK)
The aim of the campaign is to emphasise the importance of taking antibiotics responsibly by putting an end to their unnecessary use and encouraging people to follow their GP's advice by using antibiotics appropriately.
The inappropriate use of antibiotics has become a serious problem in Europe which is why there is now an annual European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD).
The use of antibiotics gives bacteria the chance to develop resistance which threatens to make antibiotic treatments ineffective. This risk is increased by unnecessary antibiotic use with the need to preserve existing treatments for the future.
Chief Medical Officer (Interim) Professor Dame Sally Davies said: "As the season for coughs and colds approaches, the public are being reminded to 'Get well without antibiotics' because these drugs do not cure most coughs, colds and sore throats.
"The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of the risks in taking antibiotics for the wrong reasons, and to keep antibiotics effective for use in future generations."
Professor Steve Field, Chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said: "Patients need to know that antibiotics are not always the answer and certainly in the case of coughs and colds they are of little use. It can be very difficult for a GP having a consultation with a patient who expects antibiotics. Many patients think that antibiotics reduce the effects of coughs and colds when in fact these infections will often get better anyway without their use. Plenty of rest and lots of fluids will often help patients fight these infections much more effectively."
(BMcN/GK)
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18 November 2011
Gov Urges Limit On Antibiotics
Doctors and nurses are being asked to limit prescriptions for antibiotics to prevent resistance to the drugs developing among patients. The Department of Health on Friday published guidance on the use of antibiotics in hospitals to coincide with European Antibiotics Awareness Day.
Gov Urges Limit On Antibiotics
Doctors and nurses are being asked to limit prescriptions for antibiotics to prevent resistance to the drugs developing among patients. The Department of Health on Friday published guidance on the use of antibiotics in hospitals to coincide with European Antibiotics Awareness Day.
17 February 2004
Antibiotics could increase risk of breast cancer: study
Using antibiotics could increase a patient's risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer, researchers in the US have claimed today. The study, which is published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), involved more than 10,000 women enrolled in Group Health Cooperative over an average of 17 years.
Antibiotics could increase risk of breast cancer: study
Using antibiotics could increase a patient's risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer, researchers in the US have claimed today. The study, which is published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), involved more than 10,000 women enrolled in Group Health Cooperative over an average of 17 years.
18 August 2015
NICE Publish New Antibiotics Guidlelines
Healthcare professionals should be discouraged from over-prescribing antibiotics, as overuse gives resistant bacteria a greater chance to survive and spread.
NICE Publish New Antibiotics Guidlelines
Healthcare professionals should be discouraged from over-prescribing antibiotics, as overuse gives resistant bacteria a greater chance to survive and spread.
16 November 2012
Antibiotic Resistance Increasing At 'Alarming Rate'
Antibiotics are losing their effectiveness at an alarming rate due to overuse, the chief medical officer warns. Dame Sally Davies has said that more people could die from routine medical procedures such as heart surgery unless doctors and patients change their habits to tackle growing antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotic Resistance Increasing At 'Alarming Rate'
Antibiotics are losing their effectiveness at an alarming rate due to overuse, the chief medical officer warns. Dame Sally Davies has said that more people could die from routine medical procedures such as heart surgery unless doctors and patients change their habits to tackle growing antibiotic resistance.
20 May 2010
Antibiotic Resistance 'May Last 12 Months'
Patients prescribed antibiotics in primary medical care may develop a resistance that lasts as long as 12 months. That's according to research published on the British Medical Journal's website, bmj.com.
Antibiotic Resistance 'May Last 12 Months'
Patients prescribed antibiotics in primary medical care may develop a resistance that lasts as long as 12 months. That's according to research published on the British Medical Journal's website, bmj.com.
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