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Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
What is antimicrobial resistance? (AMR)
With COVID-19 and other viral outbreaks, it’s essential we all stay focused on infection control and careful antibiotic use.
Everyone who prescribes and uses antibiotics: the public, healthcare staff, vets, and agricultural farmers play a part in preventing misuse.
Antibiotic use in young children, especially under age 4, is high and often unnecessary, which can harm their gut health. Respiratory infections are common in kids and lead to many doctor visits – around 40% of children receive antibiotics for chest infections.
We all play a part in protecting our health and fighting antibiotic resistance.
- Understand the right treatment: Antibiotics don’t work for COVID-19 or other viruses, as they only treat bacterial infections. Using them when not needed can cause side effects and contribute to antibiotic resistance.
- Stay safe with prevention: To protect yourself and others, follow hygiene guidelines like regular hand washing and getting recommended vaccinations. These steps help prevent serious infections and keep everyone safer.
- Why responsible antibiotic use matters: Overusing antibiotics can make them less effective. By using them only when truly needed, we help ensure they’ll work when we really need them.
Winners of the schools’ competition
Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ICB held a competition last year for local schools to raise awareness of drug-resistant infections and how to take action to use antibiotics responsibly and prevent the spread of infections among pupils. There were two categories for school children to enter and the winners were:
Best Horrible Histories Stories:
- Yukta Bhooma (age 9) from Tyndale Community School in Oxford
- Skye Sivapalan (age 11) from Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School in Aylesbury
Best Posters were:
- Ayaan Alyas (age 7) from St. Edwards Catholic Junior School in Aylesbury
- Autumn Wheaton (age 7) from Folly View Primary School in Oxford
Watch Anisha Patel – your friendly local pharmacist, tell you more about antibiotic resistance and why we need to make sure we all play a part in careful use of antibiotics.
Materials to Share
The UK Health Security Agency has launched a new campaign on AMR – when antibiotics stop working against bacteria.
Meet Andi Biotic – a friendly mascot on a mission to help us use antibiotics correctly and keep them effective for the future.
Get Involved:
Download free posters, leaflets, and digital tools to share in your community or setting.
Explore resources: AMR campaign
Other useful links:
- UK 5-year action plan for antimicrobial resistance 2024 to 2029 – GOV.UK
- Community Educators: eBug resources for children and young people
- Antibiotics don’t cure toothache! A3 poster
- Sign the pledge to be an antibiotic guardian
