You don’t need to be a scientist in a laboratory to help prevent the next superbug.
It’s becoming increasingly clear that antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a problem we are facing now, and not a threat for the future.
Everyone can play their part in reducing the rise of resistance in bacteria.
Researchers can develop new medicines and governments can set policies to encourage favourable economic conditions for antibiotic development, and responsible stewardship of the antibiotics that still work.
There are also steps that we can all take in our everyday lives to prevent infection, which reduces the use of antibiotics and the rise of superbugs.
What you can do
The power to curb the spread of antibiotic resistance is in the hands of each of us.
Here are some of the things you can do right now to help tackle this global problem:
Never demand antibiotics if your health worker says you don’t need them
– you may have a virus which will not be affected by antibiotics.
Always follow your health worker’s advice when using antibiotics,
completing the dose as instructed.
Prevent infections by regularly washing hands,
avoiding close contact with sick people,
and practising safe sex.
Keep vaccinations up to date
– some bacterial diseases can be prevented by vaccines.
Prepare food hygienically: keep hands and work surfaces clean,
separate raw and cooked food, cook food thoroughly and keep at safe temperatures,
and use clean water.
Choose foods that have been produced without the use of antibiotics
for growth promotion or disease prevention.
