Introduction:
Between 18 and 24 November, countries around the world will celebrate World Antibiotic Awareness Week, with the aims of combating the worsening problems of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance poses a serious threat to public health, and human development worldwide; thus undermining our ability to fight infectious diseases. Antibiotics save lives and are critical tools for treating a number of common and more serious infections. Improving the way healthcare professionals prescribe antibiotics, and the way we take antibiotics, helps keep us healthy now, helps fight antibiotic resistance, and ensures that these lifesaving drugs will be available for future generations.
Facts:
- Antibiotics can interact with other medications.
- They should be taken only as prescribed by your doctor.
- Some people may have an allergic reaction to antibiotics, which are not suitable for people with certain medical problems, or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health.
- Antibiotic resistance can affect anyone, of any age, in any country.
- A growing number of infections – such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, gonorrhea, and salmonellosis – are becoming harder to treat as the antibiotics used to treat them become less effective.
- Antibiotics do not cure everything, they do not treat viral infections such colds and flu.
Objectives:
- Raising public awareness about antibiotics.
- Raising awareness about global antibiotic resistance.
- Encouraging best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.
- Highlighting the antibiotic resistance globally, through effective communication, education and training.
Official Date:
Globally: November 18th-24th, 2019.
Locally: Rabīʿ al-Awwal 21st-27th, 1441H.
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.