Antibiotics aren’t always the answer
Published: 05 January 2016 | Categories: NHS
Don’t go straight for the antibiotics if you are feeling ill. Many patients ask for antibiotics when visiting their GP as they assume a course of antibiotics is a cure-all solution.
However the overuse of antibiotics can result in infections becoming resistant to the drug so they do not work.
Dr Paul Oliver, Clinical Lead, Nottingham North and East CCG said: “Fighting infections is a growing problem due to antibiotic resistance. It is driven by overusing antibiotics, prescribing them inappropriately and patient’s not finishing the course.
“To slow down the development of antibiotic resistance, it is important to use antibiotics in the right way – to use the right drug, at the right dose, at the right time, for the right duration.
“Antibiotics should be taken as prescribed and never saved for later or shared with others.”
What patients should do:
- take only the antibiotics as prescribed
- not skip doses of antibiotics
- ensure antibiotics are taken at regular intervals
- never save some for later
- don’t stop taking them even if you feel better
- not share antibiotics with others.
Speak to your GP if you are given antibiotics and are concerned or visit the following page on NHS Choices for more information: www.nhs.uk
For more information on staying well this winter