The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a stark warning to the public this winter, urging people not to take antibiotics for viral illnesses like the common cold and influenza.
The Core Message: Antibiotics Don't Work on Viruses
Health experts are reminding Brits that antibiotics are designed to fight bacterial infections, not viruses. These medications work by either killing bacteria or preventing them from multiplying, allowing the body's immune system to finish the job. However, they are completely ineffective against the viruses responsible for colds, flu, and COVID-19.
In a clear message on social media platform X, the UKHSA stated: "Antibiotics don't work for colds and flu - pharmacists can advise you on how to treat your symptoms." The agency outlined three simple but crucial rules for the public to follow:
- Do not take antibiotics for colds or flu.
- Never save them for later use.
- Always take them exactly as directed by a healthcare professional.
The Alarming Rise of Antibiotic Resistance
This urgent warning is backed by the latest evidence from the UKHSA’s English Surveillance Programme for Antimicrobial Utilisation and Resistance (ESPAUR) report, published earlier in November. The report reveals a concerning statistic: nearly 400 people are diagnosed with antibiotic-resistant infections every week in England.
This overuse of antibiotics has made them less effective, leading to the emergence of so-called "superbugs" – strains of bacteria that have developed resistance to multiple drugs. The NHS highlights several dangerous examples, including:
- MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
- Clostridium difficile (C. diff)
- The bacteria that cause multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis
These infections are significantly harder to treat and can lead to serious health complications, posing an increasing threat to global public health.
What You Need to Do
Dr Alicia Demirjian, a consultant epidemiologist and the clinical lead for antimicrobial resistance at the UKHSA, emphasised the gravity of the situation. "Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats facing modern medicine," she commented, adding, "but the good news is we can all do something about it."
If a doctor does prescribe antibiotics, it is vital to take the entire course exactly as instructed. The NHS advises that if you miss a dose, you should consult the patient information leaflet or speak to a pharmacist or GP. Generally, you can take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for the next one, in which case you should skip it. Crucially, you must never take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one.
