Antibiotic resistance awareness

This blog is from Caroline Wright, a Health Protection Practitioner with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in the East of England.

I’m Caroline Wright, a Health Protection Practitioner with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in the East of England.

As we mark Antibiotic Resistance Week, I want to share some crucial information about antibiotics and how we can better protect ourselves, our loved ones, our community and the environment from the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotics are vital for treating bacterial infections, but they don’t work for every illness, so using them appropriately is important.

If antibiotics are used too often or incorrectly, bacteria can adapt and become resistant. This means that antibiotics can become ineffective and routine medical procedures, minor injuries and common illnesses can become life-threatening. These resistant microbes can also survive, multiply and be passed on to other people and animals.

One way that we can all help to reduce the threat of antimicrobial resistance is through correct disposal of leftover antibiotics and other antimicrobial medication (such as those used to treat viruses, fungi and parasites).

The incorrect disposal of antibiotics can be harmful to the environment. If these drugs get into the ecosystem this can pollute the environment and increase the spread of AMR.

Here is what you can do to help if you have leftover antibiotics

• Take antibiotics to a pharmacy for safe disposal
• Never flush antibiotics down the toilet or tip them down the sink or drain
• Never throw antibiotics in the bin

Flushing antibiotics down the toilet, sink or drain means that these drugs will get into the water system. Water treatment plants cannot remove all traces of antibiotics so antibiotics can then be absorbed by crops, animals, and people. This increases the chance of bacterial resistance occurring. Disposing of antibiotics incorrectly also has a detrimental effect on the environment by increasing pollution, disturbing soil and plant health, and reducing biodiversity. So always take medications to the pharmacy for safe disposal.

The health and safety of our community is our highest priority, and this Antibiotic Resistance Week, we’re asking for your help. Let’s work together to ensure antibiotics remain a powerful tool for those who genuinely need them.

Making careful choices about when and how antibiotics are used will protect future generations and keep our community healthy.

For more information visit: Antiobiotic resistance