Antibiotics

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when microbes mutate over time, becoming resistant to the antimicrobial agents. As a result of this, treating infections becomes increasing difficult and, in some cases, impossible. Researchers have estimated that AMR caused 1.27 million deaths in 2019.

Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS)

Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) is a commitment to promoting and monitoring the use of antimicrobials to preserve their future effectiveness. It is both a national and a global priority.

Antibiotics are a vital treatment and can be life saving for some very unwell patients. Unfortunately, there is increasing bacterial resistance to many of the commonly used antibiotics and the development of new antibiotics is a slow process, which means we risk being unable to treat some infections in the future if no action is taken.

Many common infections, for examples colds, sore throats and COVID-19, are typically caused by viruses rather than bacteria and antibiotics are not effective at treating these infections.

If you visit your GP with mild symptoms of an infection, whether caused by bacteria or viruses, they may decide not to prescribe antibiotics and advise you to take other medicines to ease the symptoms, such as pain killers. This decision is based on information about how likely an antibiotic is to reduce either the symptoms or the length of time you feel unwell. Your GP will discuss with you, and take into account, things like your previous medical history and age as well as your current symptoms and how long you have had them.

By making sure we only use antibiotics when they are absolutely necessary, and when they are likely to make a difference, we can keep them in reserve to treat the most unwell patients.

For further information please visit antibioticguardian.com where you can become an antibiotic guardian and make a pledge to reduce the unnecessary use of antibiotics.

General self-care leaflet

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) for women under 65

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) for older adults

Respiratory Tract Infection (e.g. sore throat, cough, ear infection)

Respiratory Tract Infection (with pictures)

Access the Healthier Together Website here

Find out how the website can help parents and carers of children and young people in this video:

Saturday 18 November marks the start of World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) which runs each year from 18 – 24 November. The week is all about raising awareness about antibiotic resistance and why reducing our use of antibiotics is important to everyone.

GP practices across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are highlighting the importance of reducing the use of antibiotics where appropriate to ensure they work when we really need them.