A Government campaign launched today to reduce antibiotic usage, supports the hugely successful region wide Hand in Hand, infection control campaign.
The Chief Medical Officer for England is reminding the public that antibiotics do not help to treat viral infections such as coughs, colds and a sore throat and that a trip to the pharmacist will prove more helpful. This mirrors the East Midlands infection control campaign which asks the public to think twice before seeing their GP for common ailments. This is because an overuse of antibiotics leads to resistance, making bugs like MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C diff) immune.
Recent polling conducted by NHS East Midlands showed that 63 per cent of the public believe this to be true. However over half of those polled visit their doctor complaining of a sore throat, cough or cold and are prescribed antibiotics when over the counter medicines would be better remedies.
Lynn Andrews, Assistant Director of Patient Care at NHS East Midlands said: “The inappropriate use of antibiotics makes treating super bugs such as MRSA and C Diff more and more difficult. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections not viruses that cause illnesses such as the common cold. By only using antibiotics when and as prescribed will help us to continue to fight healthcare associated infections.”
Plans are underway in the East Midlands to roll out TV, radio and press adverts next month, highlighting the regions leading position of the lowest number of MRSA and C diff cases in England as part of the Hand in Hand infection control campaign.
The overall campaign aims to help the public to understand the importance of cleanliness, hand hygiene the appropriate use of antibiotics and the new requirements for patients to be screened for MRSA prior to being admitted to hospital.
The national campaign will also include press adverts and posters in newspapers and magazines aimed at patients and healthcare staff and are intended to reduce unnecessary requests for antibiotics from patients. This forms part of the Government's strategy to tackle the increasing problem antibiotic resistance which could make treatment for common bacterial infections such as pneumonia much more difficult in the future.
Chief Medical Officer for England, Sir Liam Donaldson reaffirmed: "Antibiotics don't work on colds, most coughs or sore throats or even the flu. Using antibiotics when they are not necessary will increase resistance to them and make it difficult to treat serious bacterial infections in the future. If you are suffering with cold and flu symptoms or a sore throat you should rest, take plenty of fluids and speak to your pharmacist who will advise you on over the counter remedies that are available."
