UKHSA issues alert over taking antibiotics for 'common infections'

Brits are being cautioned by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) against using antibiotics for common illnesses such as colds or flu.

The reason, according to experts, is simple: antibiotics target bacteria by killing them or preventing their spread, whereas viruses boast a protective protein shell and lack cell walls that are susceptible to the power of antibiotics. This means that despite antibiotics' prowess in tackling bacterial infections, they're useless against viruses.

The reinforces this message, advising to only take antibiotics when recommended by a GP and reminding us that 'many mild bacterial infections get better on their own without using antibiotics'.

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The NHS also reminds that 'antibiotics do not work for viral infections such as colds and flu, and most coughs'.

However, some Brits might still be tempted to pop an antibiotic just in case, but the UKHSA has waved a serious warning flag about the risks of antimicrobial resistance, or AMR, reports .

Making its stance clear on social media, the UKHSA cautioned: "Antibiotics don't work for colds and flu - got that?"

It warns about a looming health crisis where ordinary infections could become deadly threats as our current medicines lose their effectiveness.

"Imagine a where common infections became life-threatening, because our medicines no longer worked," says the UKHSA, highlighting that what sounds like science fiction is actually a real and present concern.

"Antimicrobial resistance, known as AMR, is stopping antibiotics from being as effective as they used to be. There were an estimated 66,730 serious antibiotic-resistant infections in 2023, a rise compared to 62,314 that we saw in 2019, before the pandemic.

"AMR occurs when bacteria and other microorganisms evolve to survive the medicines we use to fight them. Just as we adapt to challenges, bacteria can adapt to survive antibiotics. When this happens, these vital medicines stop working when we need them most.

"While AMR affects everyone, Black British and Asian British communities face a higher risk of developing infections that don't respond well to antibiotics, which makes it crucial that we focus our activities to address this issue."

To prevent AMR, Brits are urged to avoid using antibiotics for cold and flu symptoms, to never hoard antibiotics for future use, and to adhere strictly to the course prescribed by their healthcare providers.