Raising awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
On Monday 7 April, the UK Health Security Agency will be launching a new pilot campaign focused on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This will be the first public awareness initiative in England since 2017 and it aims to re-engage younger adults with AMR and build support for the behaviours that will help keep antibiotics working.
3 Key Messages
The campaign focuses around 3 key messages:
- Do not take antibiotics for colds and flu
- Do not save antibiotics for later
- Take antibiotics as directed by your healthcare professional
Do not take antibiotics for colds and flu
You should not take antibiotics for the flu or a cold because they are caused by viruses, and antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, not viral ones.
Do not save antibiotics for later
You shouldn’t save leftover antibiotics for later because doing so can contribute to antibiotic resistance, potentially making future infections harder to treat, and may not be the correct antibiotic or dose for a new illness.
Take antibiotics as directed by your healthcare professional
As directed and prescribed by your healthcare professional, you need to take the full treatment to kill the disease-causing bacteria. If you don’t take an antibiotic as prescribed, you may need to start treatment again later. If you stop taking it, it can also promote the spread of antibiotic-resistant properties among harmful bacteria.
Always consult your healthcare professional first for advice regarding the responsible way to take antibiotics safely. This will benefit both you and your family into the future.
