Antibiotics Are Losing Their Effectiveness: How Self-Medication Poses Risks to Millions

Antibiotic Resistance: What Each of Us Can Do

According to Міністерство Здоров'я: Almost every sixth bacterial infection in the world is now resistant to standard treatment. Antibiotics are critically important medications. If taken just in case or not as prescribed, they lose their effectiveness as bacteria easily develop resistance to them. Their resistance is our vulnerability.

During the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week from November 18 to 24, we inform what each of us can do to counteract antibiotic resistance. The resistance to antimicrobial agents is especially dangerous during wartime. It significantly increases the burden on the healthcare system. Among the main causes of antibiotic resistance are excessive use of antibiotics and failure to adhere to the treatment course prescribed by the physician.

What can each of us do? Take antimicrobial agents only as prescribed by a doctor, under no circumstances engage in self-medication!

Do not use antibiotics for viral infections. Such recommendations can only be given by a doctor (after examination and additional tests).

Complete the full course of treatment according to the doctor's prescription, do not skip taking medications, do not interrupt treatment even if you feel better. Do not use leftover antimicrobial medications from a previous course of treatment. Do not share antimicrobial medications with friends or relatives and do not prescribe them treatment. Do not skip vaccinations according to the schedule and recommended immunizations.

ℹ To find out more about the changes implemented in the healthcare system to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance and the results, you can visit: https://bit.ly/4a4HUr8

Antibiotic resistance is becoming an increasingly significant problem in modern medicine. To prevent the spread of this phenomenon, each of us must recognize the importance of the proper use of antibiotics and following doctors' recommendations. By adhering to simple rules, we can save not only ourselves but also others from antibiotic-resistant infections.