Transcript ANTIBIOTic resistance

COLDS, FLU AND
ANTIBIOTIC
RESISTANCE
Everything you need to know
to become an antibiotic
resistance fighter
CONTENTS
What you need to know about bacteria and disease
What are antibiotics and how do they work?
Antibiotic resistance:
- How it happens
- Why it’s a problem
- What you can do to help prevent it.
BACTERIA AND DISEASE
Bacteria are tiny organisms that are too small to
see with the naked eye.
Most bacteria in the body are harmless and some
are beneficial like the native bacteria in our gut
that help digestion.
Some bacteria can cause infection and disease.
Not all infections are caused by bacteria. There
are also viral and fungal infections.
Learn more here
ANTIBIOTICS AND HOW THEY WORK
Antibiotics work by killing bacteria or
stopping them from multiplying.
Sometimes they are prescribed before
surgery to prevent a bacterial infection
from developing.
Before the discovery of antibiotics in the
1930s, bacterial infections were often fatal.
Learn more here
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
Antibiotic resistance happens when
bacteria change to protect themselves
from an antibiotic.
When this happens, antibiotics that
previously would have killed the bacteria,
or stopped them from multiplying, no
longer work.
It’s not a new problem, but more and more
species of bacteria are becoming resistant to
available antibiotics.
Learn more here
WHY DOES RESISTANCE DEVELOP?
Inappropriate use of antibiotics is the major cause of resistance.
Examples of inappropriate use are:
- Using antibiotics to treat non-bacterial disease (like colds and flu)
- Taking ineffective doses of antibiotics
- Not taking antibiotics for the correct
length of time.
THE BALANCE IS TIPPING
Virtually no new antibiotics are being developed
This means our pool of available antibiotics that work against
resistant bacteria is getting smaller.
The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts if antibiotic
resistance is not slowed there will be a return to pre-antibiotic levels
of morbidity and mortality (poor health and death) due to bacterial
infections.
Learn more here
CONSEQUENCES OF RESISTANCE
When antibiotics stop working for bacterial disease there
can be serious consequences including:
- Less options for treating serious bacterial infections.
- Longer and more expensive hospital stays.
- Increased mortality.
- More chance that epidemics of disease
may develop.
PREVENTING ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
Everyone in the community has an
important role in reducing the rate of
antibiotic resistance by:
- Using antibiotics the right way
- Reducing the spread of infection.
Learn more here
TREATING COMMON COLDS AND FLU
NEEDS COMMON SENSE
Common cold and flu are both caused by viruses.
Antibiotics won’t help:
- A cold or flu get better faster
- Stop a cold or flu getting worse
- Prevent a cold or flu spreading to other people.
Treat the symptoms
- Rest
- Drink lots of fluids
Learn more here
PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COLD
AND FLU INFECTIONS
Wash your hands.
Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.
Dispose of tissues properly.
Avoid sharing drinking bottles,
cups or utensils.
Stay home when you are sick to prevent infecting others.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR
If you are wondering whether
you need an antibiotic:
If you are prescribed an
antibiotic:
Would an antibiotic help me
get better sooner?
Why do I need to take an
antibiotic?
What can I do to manage my
symptoms?
How often and for how long do I
need to take it?
How soon should I start to
feel better?
Do I need to keep it in the
fridge?
Do I need to come back to
see you?
THINGS TO REMEMBER
Antibiotic resistance is everyone’s problem and we all play a part in
reducing it.
Antibiotics don’t treat viral (e.g. cold and flu) or fungal infections.
Always use antibiotics appropriately:
- For the RIGHT condition
- The RIGHT dose
- The RIGHT duration.
Practise good hygiene and infection control.
By not using antibiotics when you don’t need them they will be more
effective when you do.
Take the pledge today and join the fight at
/npsmedicinewise.