MONDAY, 17 NOVEMBER, 2014

EMBARGOED UNTIL 00:01AM, TUESDAY, 18 NOVEMBER, 2014

NHS Tayside marks European Antibiotic Awareness Day

NHS Tayside is supporting European Antibiotic Awareness Day on 18 November (Tuesday) which focuses on appropriate antibiotic prescribing.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has launched a campaign highlighting how appropriate use of antibiotics can prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

To mark the campaign, members of the NHS Tayside Antimicrobial team are hosting an information and advice stall at St Margaret’s Hospital, Auchterarder today (Tuesday) and will also hold several stands across the region during November.

Every year it becomes more important to ensure antibiotic use is appropriate and to stop the spread of infection by careful hand washing. Overuse of antibiotics causes bacteria to change and develop resistance, making them harder to treat.

Specialist pharmacist Antimicrobials (Primary Care) Hazel Steele said, “Our bodies are very good at fighting off most infections on their own.

“For coughs, colds and sore throats, people can seek advice from their pharmacist about how best to manage their symptoms. In the majority of cases when you are not well with these infections, you will get better just as quickly without antibiotics.

“However, there will always be a place for antibiotics for serious bacterial infections, and if a doctor does issue a prescription for an antibiotic it is very important to take the antibiotics as instructed.”

The NHS Tayside Antimicrobial team are also supporting the antibiotic guardian campaign, which asks healthcare professionals or members of the public to make a simple pledge about how they’ll make better use of antibiotics. For more information visit www.antibioticguardian.com/

Contact:

Debbie Huband

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740134