Hospital da Luz Network and Luz Saúde join the European Antibiotic Awareness Day (November 18) and the World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (November 18-24). Both dates have for goal to alert to the correct use of antibiotics – which is a responsibility of all, from citizens to the health professionals involved in its prescription and distribution, either at human or animal level – viewing to contribute to a decrease of bacteria resistance to these medications. Note that: Antibiotics are not indicated to treat colds or flu, neither to treat fever. Antibiotics should not be taken without medical assessment, decision, and prescription. Leftover antibiotics should not be kept or passed to someone else. They must be safely disposed by returning them to a pharmacy. The European Antibiotic Awareness Day is an initiative by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the European Unit agency in the area of health. This year, the motto is “From resistance to resilience: health professionals leading change” , focusing on the great challenges faced by health professionals dealing with severe infection, in particular infection caused by antimicrobial resistant organisms. The World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week is an initiative by the World Health Organization (WHO), encompassing the European Day. This year, the motto is “Act now: protect our present, secure our future” . Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a natural phenomenon, resulting from their capacity of survival when exposed. Every time we take an antibiotic, there occurs a selection of the bacteria existing in our body, namely in the intestines and the skin, which may become resistant to its action. If the person in question needs that specific antibiotic again, it will no longer be effective. Therefore, resistant bacteria are a real threat to the population: Every year, over 35 thousand people in the European Unit die due to antimicrobial resistant infection. Every year, about 3 million patients in the European Union contract at least an infection associated with healthcare during hospitalization. One in three microorganisms detected in infection associated with healthcare are bacteria resistant to significant antibiotics, thus narrowing the options of treatment of the infected patients. Learn more about bacteria resistance to antibiotics and the correct use of antibiotics In case of doubt, call line LUZ 24 (217 104 424, national land line), a Hospital da Luz free service.
