In this Article:
01: What do antimicrobial medicines treat? 02: What is antimicrobial resistance (AMR)? 03: Should I be worried about AMR? 04: What steps can I take to stay safe? 05:What do antimicrobial medicines treat?
Antimicrobial medicines are the collective term for a set of treatments that target different types of infections.
Antibiotics - used to treat infections caused by harmful bacteria. They work by immobilising and killing the bacteria to stop them from multiplying and spreading. They are also sometimes used as a preventative medicine (known as antibiotic prophylaxis) to reduce the risk of infection in vulnerable people such as those due to have surgery, older people, and those with a compromised immune system or an existing condition such as heart failure. Common bacterial infections treated with antibiotics include strep A illnesses, skin infections such as cellulitis, and severe infections such as sepsis.
Antifungals – these medicines target harmful fungi that cause medical conditions such as athlete’s foot, fungal nail infections, ringworm, and thrush. They either prevent the fungus from spreading or kill it off completely.
Antiparasitic agents – used to treat parasite infestations in the body such as roundworm infections and threadworms. The antiparasitic agent used to treat worms works by cutting off their food source in our bodies (glucose) causing them to die.
Antivirals – these medicines can treat existing viral infections and help to prevent them from recurring. They work by supporting your immune system to fight the virus and prevent it from spreading. Common viral infections sometimes treated with this type of medicine include herpes, chickenpox, and shingles. A type of medicine called an antiretroviral is used to help manage HIV by preventing the virus from replicating around the body. This gives the immune system time to heal and regain strength.
What is antimicrobial resistance (AMR)?
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the term used for pathogens (harmful bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses that cause disease) that adapt over time to become immune to antimicrobial medicines used to combat them. This process means the effectiveness of these medicines diminishes, making it harder for the body to overcome the infections they cause. AMR is becoming more common both in the UK and across the world, leading to a rise in ‘superbugs’ like MRSA. The rise in AMR is estimated to be largely down to the over-reliance on and misuse of these medicines. In addition, the rate of discovery and development of new antimicrobials has slowed dramatically in recent years. This means that healthcare professionals have fewer alternatives when trying to successfully treat AMR infections. As a result, the effective management of AMR is fast becoming a top priority for global, national, and regional healthcare authorities and organisations.
Should I be worried about AMR?
Although it sounds frightening, there’s a wide range of research and action being carried out to address the impact of AMR, both here in the UK and across the world. The UK government published a 5-year National Action Plan in 2019 outlining strategic aims to make the use of antimicrobials more efficient, reduce dependence on antibiotics, and invest in research of new antimicrobial medicines. This is part of a 20-year vision to successfully control AMR by 2040. Our NHS is using this plan to inform and align its clinical practices in support of reducing the impact of the healthcare sector on AMR. The World Health Organization also rolled out its Global Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance in 2015, providing guidance to healthcare organisations worldwide. Each year, the World Antimicrobial Awareness week (18th to 24th November) helps to raise the profile of this issue and increases the visibility of the different work being carried out to tackle AMR.
It’s important to be aware of AMR and stay informed so you know when and how to seek medical guidance. Scientific charity ANTRUK has a dedicated patient support hub with resources and information you can access.
What steps can I take to stay safe?
As the saying goes, prevention is better than the cure! Good hygiene practices such as regular hand washing, regularly sanitising high-touch surfaces, and covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze can help to reduce the spread of pathogens. Seasonal illnesses like the common cold and flu can’t be treated with antibiotics. It’s recommended to get plenty of rest, drink fluids regularly, and use over-the-counter remedies to ease symptoms.
Safe sex can reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia. Your local sexual health clinic can offer a free STI screening if you’re concerned you may have been exposed to an STI.
If you develop an infection that does require your doctor to prescribe antibiotics, take them exactly as prescribed, finishing your course of medication even if your symptoms clear up sooner. Expired antibiotics can be safely disposed of by returning them to your local pharmacy. Like any prescribed medicine, they should never be given to another person to take.
The NHS website offers lots of useful information about different conditions, their symptoms, and treatments. If you’re concerned and want to speak to a healthcare professional, have a chat with your pharmacist, contact your GP surgery, or call NHS 111.