Use the correct treatment for Winter lurgies and help fight against antibiotic resistance
Warwickshire healthcare organisations are advising against the use of antibiotics for coughs, colds and flu in support of World Antibiotic Awareness Week (13-19 November 2017).
NHS South Warwickshire Clinical Commissioning Group (SWCCG) and South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT) are joining forces in the fight against antibiotic resistance. This is because the routine usage of antibiotics to treat viral infections and over use of antibiotics has led to certain bacteria becoming antibiotic resistant. This has a knock-on effect when treating life-threatening conditions, and could leave mild and severe infections resistant to antibiotics.
There is a general misconception that antibiotics can treat winter conditions; in fact, research has shown that only 10% of sore throats and 20% of acute sinusitis benefit from antibiotic treatment but the prescription rates are much higher than this. Antibiotics are important medicines used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Other winter conditions, such as cold and flu, are viruses and therefore cannot be treated by antibiotics.
During Antibiotic Awareness Week staff from NHS South Warwickshire Clinical Commissioning Group and South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust have been doing lots to raise awareness of antibiotic resistance. In addition to offering advice to members of the public through information stands in Warwick, they also visited a local school. Sharon Stuart, Infection Prevention & Control Commissioning Nurse and Julie Wilkinson, Lead Pharmacist and Farah Supto, Consultant Microbiologist spoke to year 10 students at Myton School who are working on a science project that focuses on antibiotics. They highlighted the steps you can take to minimise the risk of infection and also discussed how antibiotics work to demonstrate when they are helpful and when over the counter remedies are more suitable.
Julie Wilkinson, Lead Pharmacist, South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust said: Increasing resistance to antibiotics is a serious issue which is why we are working with our colleagues from South Warwickshire CCG to support the national campaign on a local level. It has been great talking to the students at Myton School as well as other members of the local community because we’ve been able to dispel some myths about antibiotics and offer advice on alternatives that can be more effective.
Sharon Stuart, Infection Prevention & Control Commissioning Nurse, NHS South Warwickshire Clinical Commissioning Group added: “The best way to avoid to antibiotics overuse is to try to avoid infections in the first place. We’ve been working with the year 10 students at Myton School to help them realise that taking simple steps, such as good hand hygiene, to help stop the spread of infection. We’ve taught the students the correct handwashing technique is important and when the key moments are to wash hands. The power is literally in everyone’s hands because washing our hands properly is one of the most effective ways of creating healthier communities.”
« Return to News
