World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW): 18-24 November
Help keep antibiotics working
Antibiotics are an essential part of modern medicine. They treat bacterial infections and help make procedures such as surgery and cancer treatment safer.
However, when antibiotics are overused or used when they are not needed, bacteria can become resistant to them. This is known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
AMR is a growing global threat because it can make infections harder, and sometimes impossible to treat.
World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign that raises awareness of AMR and encourages everyone, including the public, healthcare professionals and policymakers, to take action to tackle it.
This year’s theme, “One Health, One Action: Prevent AMR Now”, highlights the need for urgent, collective action. AMR is not just a future challenge; it is happening now, and we all have a part to play.
In south east London, we are making progress. Overall, antibiotic prescribing has reduced, but the use of some antibiotics is increasing, showing that there is still more we can do.
How can you help?
Everyone can help protect antibiotics and keep them working for future generations:
- Don’t take antibiotics for colds and flu. Antibiotics do not work against viruses, which cause most colds and flu. If you are unsure about your symptoms or what treatment you need, ask your local pharmacist for advice.
- Never save antibiotics for later or share them with someone else. Use antibiotics only when they have been prescribed for you.
- Take antibiotics exactly as advised by your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
- Become an Antibiotic Guardian and make a pledge to use antibiotics responsibly: Make your Antibiotic Guardian pledge.
- Help spread the message by sharing information about responsible antibiotic use and AMR. You can use hashtags such as #KeepAntibioticsWorking and #AntibioticResistance.
We all have a role to play in protecting antibiotics. By using them responsibly, we can help keep these important medicines working for us now and for future generations.
Using antibiotics safely helps keep them working for everyone.