What is Antibiotic ?

Antibiotics are medicines that help stop infections caused by bacteria. They do this by killing the bacteria or reproducing.Any drug that kills germs in your body is technically an antibiotic. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in response to the use of these medicines. Bacteria, not humans or animals, become antibiotic-resistant.”

You can help prevent antibiotic resistance:

Infection prevention can reduce antibiotic use and limit the spread of resistance to antibiotics. One of the most effective ways of reducing the risk of infection is good basic hygiene. It includes good hygiene:

• Wash your hands properly.
• Prepare food hygienically.
• Avoid close contact with the ill.
• Keep up to date on your and your children’s vaccinations.
• Defend your right to clean water and sanitation.
• Always seek the guidance of a licensed healthcare practitioner while taking antibiotics.
• Do not need antibiotics when your healthcare worker suggests that you do not want them. 
• Do not share antibiotics with anyone.
• Do not use any leftover antibiotics.

Messages to promote safe use of antibiotics:

• Always seek advice when taking antibiotics from a trained health care professional. 
• Antibiotic abuse is putting us all at risk. 
• Antibiotics, such as colds and flu, do not cure viral infections.
• It is not the person or animal that becomes resistant to antibiotics that the bacteria themselves. 
• Effective treatment of waste will protect the environment and reduce the resistance to antibiotics.