Be antibiotic aware

Director of Public Health, Dr Jane Rossini

Overuse of antibiotics can cause them to become ineffective and spread life-threatening infections warn health experts from NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale.

And as winter colds, coughs and sore throat season hits Rochdale Borough, people are being urged to only use antibiotics properly.

Director of Public Health, Dr Jane Rossini, said: “Antibiotics don’t work against viruses that cause colds, most coughs and sore throats. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. However, the more often we use antibiotics, the more likely it is that bacteria will become resistant to them and overuse is fuelling the spread of serious life threatening infections such as MRSA and C (Clostridium) Difficile.”

To mark European Antibiotic Awareness Day on the 18 November, local people are being encouraged to be ‘antibiotic aware!’. The European-wide annual event aims to raise awareness on how to use antibiotics in a responsible way that will help keep them effective for the future.

Dr. Rossini added: “It’s important to use antibiotics correctly and your doctor will only prescribe antibiotics when you need them. They are losing their effectiveness at an increasing rate. Bacteria can become ‘antibiotic resistant’ so that the antibiotic no longer works and the more you use an antibiotic, the more bacteria will become resistant to them.

“There is a common misconception that antibiotics can cure a cold or a case of flu. If a cold is making you feel under the weather, antibiotics aren’t going to help. The best treatment is over the counter remedies, rest and rehydration. If you are prescribed antibiotics for a bacterial infection, it’s vital that you take the complete course exactly as directed by your GP or pharmacist in order to get rid of the bacteria completely.”