According to the HSE, the cumulative health effects of HIV/AIDS, TB, and influenza are equal to those of antibiotic-resistant illnesses, reports Breaking News.
The overuse and abuse of antibiotics is causing them to lose their potency at an unexpected rate.
According to the HSE, this European Antibiotics Awareness Day (EAAD) serves as a reminder to everyone of the need of using antibiotics only when necessary and their value. It stated that if the infection is brought on by a virus, antibiotics are useless.
Dr. Eimear Brannigan, the HSE national clinical lead for antimicrobial resistance and infection control (AMRIC), stated:
“Antibiotics are lifesaving drugs when used appropriately to treat bacterial infections, and are usually very safe for us. We have become reliant on antibiotics being effective to treat or prevent infection during many of our routine operations, treatments and for critical surgery such as organ transplants, cancer treatment and many illnesses. Unfortunately, over the last 100 years or so, a lot of antibiotics have been used in people, animals and crops, often when they were not always appropriate,” reports Breaking News.
“Because of this antibiotic use, many bacteria have adapted so that antibiotics no longer work as well as they did 20 years ago. Bacteria or bugs become resistant to different types of antibiotics. These are sometimes called superbugs. So, antibiotics that once worked well to treat an infection may no longer work as well as before or, do not work at all. This is known as antibiotic resistance,” the Doctor added, reports Breaking News.
What then can be done? According to the HSE, everyone has a responsibility and can help address this escalating concern. It’s crucial to take antibiotics responsibly.
In order to stop illnesses from spreading, people are advised to use antibiotics only as directed by their doctor and to follow appropriate infection prevention measures, reports Breaking News.
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