The UK Health Security Agency has issued a stark warning to the public, urging people not to take a common type of medication when suffering from flu or a cold. The agency's latest advisory focuses on the misuse of antibiotics, which are powerless against viral infections.
Why Antibiotics Don't Work on Viruses
In a clear statement shared on social media platform X, the UKHSA stressed a fundamental medical fact: antibiotics are designed to fight bacterial infections, not viral ones. These medicines work by either killing bacteria or stopping them from multiplying, allowing the body's immune system to clear the infection.
However, illnesses such as the common cold, influenza, and COVID-19 are caused by viruses. Taking antibiotics for these conditions provides no benefit and contributes to a growing global health crisis. The UKHSA advised that pharmacists can offer guidance on managing symptoms instead.
Rising Flu Cases and the Threat of Superbugs
This urgent reminder comes as flu activity increases across the country. Official data shows that in the week ending 7 December, flu positivity in England rose to a weekly average of 21%, up from 17% the previous week.
Hospital admissions linked to flu also climbed, reaching 10.05 per 100,000 people, compared with 8.09 per 100,000. Alongside this seasonal spike, the UKHSA is highlighting the dangers of antibiotic resistance.
A recent report from the agency's English Surveillance Programme for Antimicrobial Utilisation and Resistance revealed that approximately 400 people in England are diagnosed with an antibiotic-resistant infection every week. Overuse of antibiotics has made them less effective, leading to the emergence of so-called 'superbugs'.
How to Use Antibiotics Correctly
To combat this threat, the UKHSA and the NHS advise the public to follow three simple rules regarding antibiotics:
- Do not take them for colds or flu.
- Do not save them for later use.
- Always take them exactly as directed by a healthcare professional.
Dr Alicia Demirjian, a consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, stated: "Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats facing modern medicine, but the good news is we can all do something about it." She emphasised the importance of following prescription guidance precisely and never taking a double dose to make up for a missed one.
The NHS warns that infections caused by resistant bacteria—including MRSA and C. difficile—are more challenging to treat and pose a serious risk to public health worldwide.
