Become a Western Isles ‘Antibiotic Guardian’

Held every November, European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD) is a day to encourage the responsible use of antibiotics.

EAAD is part of the UK 5 Year Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy 2013 to 2018, which focuses on antibiotics and sets out actions to slow the development and spread of antibiotic resistance.

An Antibiotic Guardian pledge webpage has been set up online for both healthcare staff and members of the public http://antibioticguardian.com/. It calls on everyone in the UK, the public and healthcare community to become antibiotics guardian by choosing one simple pledge about how they will make better use of these vital medicines.

Did you know:

• ·       25,000 people die each year across Europe from infections resistant to antibiotics
• ·       A recent study showed that the likelihood of GPs prescribing antibiotics for coughs and colds increased by 40% between 1999 and 2011
• ·       Research has shown that only 10% of sore throats and 20% of acute sinusitis benefit from antibiotic treatment, but prescription rates are much higher than this.

There will be an information display in Western Isles Hospital from November 18, and NHS Western Isles Antimicrobial Pharmacist, Emer Friel, and Elaine Macleod from the Infection Control Team will be in local supermarkets today to inform members of the public about the importance of the appropriate use of antibiotics.

Emer said: “Taking antibiotics unnecessarily or not following the dosage instructions correctly can cause bacteria to become resistant. We cannot stop resistance but we can slow it down and stop it getting worse by using antibiotics correctly.

“Antibiotics do not work on infections caused by viruses, such as the common cold or the flu. Most symptoms such as sore throats, earache, coughs and sneezes are caused by viruses that your body fights off by itself and simple measures such as pain relief and fluids are all that are required.Your Community Pharmacist will be able to advise on appropriate products.

“Patients with health conditions that could put them at risk of complications such as chronic lung and kidney disease are advised to seek medical advice if their symptoms are not resolving. Doctors will prescribe antibiotic treatment only when it is necessary.”

NHS Western Isles is therefore issuing the following advice:

• Accept your doctor’s advice when they suggest that antibiotics are not needed
• If antibiotics are issued, complete your course of treatment and follow the dosage instructions.
• Don’t share your antibiotics with anyone else
• Don’t keep antibiotics for use on another occasion
• Don’t purchase antibiotics abroad.

Further information on getting well soon without using antibiotics and on becoming an antibiotic guardian is available athttp://www.wihb.scot.nhs.uk/patient-information-leaflets

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