Global antibiotic resistance is a growing threat in which disease-causing bacteria develop the ability to resist the drugs designed to kill them.

This resistance makes it harder to treat common infections – including pneumonia, tuberculosis, blood poisoning, gonorrhoea, and foodborne diseases – and increases the risk of transmission or spreading.

To raise awareness of these issues, the World Health Organization holds  from 18 to 24 November 2020. 

What you need to know

  • Antibiotics aren’t always the answer
    Over-prescription and misuse of antibiotics are the leading causes of antimicrobial resistance.
  • Antibiotics are only needed for treating infections caused by bacteria
    Even then, some bacterial infections get better without antibiotics, including many sinus and some ear infections.
  • Antibiotics do not work on viruses
    Some of the illnesses not cured by antibiotics include the common cold, flu, sore throat, runny nose and bronchitis.
  • Antibiotics will not make you feel better if you have a virus
    Respiratory viruses usually go away in a week or two without treatment. Ask your doctor about self-care measures to take while your body fights off the virus.

What you can do

  • Do not self-prescribe with antibiotics.
  • If you are sick, always see a doctor to get properly diagnosed and use antibiotics only when prescribed.
  • Never demand antibiotics if your doctor says you don’t need them.
  • Never share or use leftover antibiotics.
  • When antibiotics are prescribed for an appropriate bacterial infection, take exactly as directed.
  • If you develop any side effects, don’t stop taking your prescribed medication, consult your doctor first.
  • Once started, it is critical that you do not skip or fail to finish your prescribed course of antibiotics. The infection can develop resistance if the dose you take is incomplete or insufficient.
  • An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Prevent infections by regularly washing hands, preparing food hygienically, avoiding close contact with sick people, practicing safer sex, and keeping vaccinations up to date.

If you have questions, please contact?dos-dhmosh-public-health@un.org 

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