In 2019, around 5 million people died worldwide due to situations associated with infection caused by antimicrobial multiresistant bacteria, nearly as many as the deaths caused by the COVID-19 pandemic since its outset. If nothing significant is done in order to restrain this silent pandemic, the number may reach the 10 million by 2050. Infection control and antimicrobial resistance are, from the start, a priority area for Luz Saúde group and throughout the Hospital da Luz network, therefore joining the celebration of this European Antibiotic Awareness Day and World Antimicrobial Awareness Week. The European Antibiotic Awareness Day is celebrated on November 18 , by the initiative of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the European agency for Health. The World Antimicrobial Awareness Week is an initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO), happening from 18 to 24 November, and having for motto this year “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together”. The purpose of these dates is to raise awareness of the population to the correct use of antibiotics – which is a responsibility of all, from citizens to health professionals involved in their prescription and distribution, both at human and animal level –, thus contributing to a decrease in bacterial resistance to these drugs. According to estimates presented by the ECDC, in a new report released today , more than 35 000 people die from antimicrobial-resistant infections in the EU each year. Antibiotics are drugs designed for the treatment of infection caused by bacteria, contributing to save millions of lives, but they do not act on infections caused by viruses (as is the case of cold and flu). Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a natural phenomenon, happening whenever they are exposed to antibiotics, and is a result of the adaptive capacity of bacteria. The same happens with fungi, parasites and viruses concerning their respective antimicrobials. At least one third of antibiotics prescribed worldwide, either at ambulatory or hospital level, are inappropriately prescribed. Therefore, remember: Only take antibiotics when indicated by the doctor. Do not use antibiotics, unless a doctor so decides and prescribes. Learn more about bacterial resistance to antibiotics and how these should be used
