U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week is November 18-24, 2023.

November: A Time to Reflect on Antibiotic Awareness

Antibiotic Awareness

This annual observance serves as a critical reminder of the importance of antibiotics in healthcare, the growing threat of antibiotic resistance, and the pivotal role that each of us plays in safeguarding these life-saving medications.

The Urgency of Antibiotic Awareness

Antibiotics have transformed modern medicine, allowing us to combat and cure infectious diseases that were once deadly. However, the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria poses a grave threat to public health. Antibiotic resistance is a global crisis that affects our ability to treat common infections, perform surgery, and manage other critical healthcare procedures.

US Antibiotic Awareness Week is an opportunity to educate ourselves and others about the responsible use of antibiotics. Share this information with your community, friends, and family to amplify the message.

The Responsibility of Healthcare Providers and Patients

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Proper Antibiotic Use:

Healthcare providers must follow guidelines and best practices to prescribe antibiotics judiciously. It is essential to prescribe the right antibiotic, at the right dose, for the right duration, to optimize treatment outcomes and minimize the development of resistance.

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Patient Education:

Patients have a vital role to play in antibiotic stewardship. It’s crucial to understand that antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections, not viral illnesses like colds and flu. Patients should follow their healthcare provider’s guidance and complete their antibiotic courses as prescribed.

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Prevention:

Preventing infections through vaccination, hand hygiene, and safe food handling can reduce the need for antibiotics in the first place.

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Reporting Side Effects:

Patients and healthcare providers should report any adverse effects of antibiotics to the appropriate authorities. This information helps in improving safety and guidelines.

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Global Collaboration:

Antibiotic resistance is a global issue. Healthcare providers and patients alike should support international efforts to address this problem through research, surveillance, and policy changes.

How antibiotics work

This clip from ebug describes how antibiotics work to kill bacteria, the difference between bacteriostatic and bactericidal antibiotics.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/week/index.html

https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/onehealthabx/usaaw.html