PHA and HSCB advise on antibiotic use

On European Antibiotics Awareness Day (18 November), the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) are encouraging the appropriate use of antibiotics to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance which is a growing problem.

Antibiotics do not work against viruses such as colds and flu and therefore are of no benefit in treating viral infections and may lead to undesirable side effects, such as diarrhoea.

When bacteria develop the ability to resist antibiotics it is more difficult to kill them or stop their growth. Resistance can occur in the body naturally, but excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics accelerates the resistance, reducing the effectiveness of antibiotics in treating bacterial infections in the future.

Dr Brendan O’Brien, PHA consultant in health protection, said: “Antibiotic overuse is a serious problem and a threat to everyone’s health. As we are now approaching this year’s cold and flu season, I would like to remind everyone that antibiotics are not effective against viral infections. All too often people think antibiotics cure common colds and flu, but that’s not correct. Instead, rest, fluids, paracetamol and if necessary a decongestant and/or cough bottle, will relieve the symptoms”.

Updated antibiotic guidelines were developed and sent to all GPs, GP out-of-hours centres and accident and emergency departments earlier this year. The guidelines were written by local experts in primary and secondary care and provide advice on the best antibiotics to use to treat common infections in the community. The guidelines will help to ensure that infections are treated in a similar way regardless of who the patient consults.

As part of the guidelines, prescribers are asked to ‘CAP’ their antibiotic use:

• CONSULT (with patients requesting antibiotics). Telephone requests for antibiotics are discouraged as the prescriber cannot make a full assessment of the patient or their need for antibiotics.
• AVOID (and use alternatives where possible).
• PRESCRIBE (within the guidelines).

Dr Brenda Bradley, HSCB pharmaceutical public health and governance lead, said: “The guidelines have been well received by GPs. Since they were first issued in 2008, it is encouraging to see there has been a decrease in the number of antibiotics that are prescribed, including those prescribed by telephone. Patients should be guided by their GP as to whether or not they need an antibiotic, as many minor illnesses will get better without one.”