Health Days 2017

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World Antibiotic Awareness Week

Introduction:

This year's theme of the World Antibiotic Week focuses on the importance of seeking advice from qualified healthcare professionals before taking antibiotics. Antibiotics are a precious treatment, so it should not be used randomly to prevent the so-called antibiotic resistance. It is a worldwide problem which has undermined effective treatment of infectious diseases. Antibiotics resistance occurs naturally, but using them randomly speeds up the problem, making it a high priority issue for WHO.

Facts:

Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health.
Antibiotics are in danger of losing their effectiveness due to misuse and overdose.
Bacteria, not humans or animals, become antibiotic-resistant.
Antibiotics do not fight viral infections such as colds and flu.
Antibiotics do not cure all diseases.
Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them speeds up antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotic resistant infections are more complex and harder to treat. They can affect anyone, of any age, in any country.
A growing number of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis are becoming harder to treat as the antibiotics used to treat them become less effective.
Personal hygiene is the first line of defense against infectious diseases caused by bacteria. It is better to prevent them rather than try to cure them with antibiotics.
Without proper action, we are heading for a post-antibiotic era, in which minor infections can once again kill.

Objectives:

Make antibiotic resistance a globally recognized health issue.
Raise awareness of the importance of using the antibiotics in a proper way.
Highlight the importance of seeking advice from a healthcare professional before taking antibiotics, and do not take antibiotics prescribed for someone else.

Highlight the role of individuals, health experts and governments in tackling antibiotic resistance.
Encourage behavior change, as simple actions can make a big difference.

Official Date:

Globally: November 13th-19th, 2017.
Locally: Safar 25th - Rabī al-ʾAwwal 2nd, 1439H.

Theme of World Antibiotic Awareness Week

Think Twice, Seek Advice

Target Groups:

Health professionals including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and health educators.
Education professionals including teachers, social workers and others.
School students.
Health decision-makers.
Health organizations and associations.
The public.

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