World Health Organization (WHO) launched the first World Antibiotic Awareness Week from 16 November to 22 November, 2015. In response to growing antibiotic resistance globally, WHO stresses the need to preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics to maintain global health security and strongly urges everyone to use antibiotics responsibly.
Theme – “Antibiotics: Handle with Care”
Antibiotic awareness day – 18th November
Aim – To raise awareness and encourage best practices among the public, policymakers, health and agriculture professionals to avoid the further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.
What is Antibiotic?
Antibiotic aka antibacterial is type of medication that destroys or slows down the growth of bacteria in order to contain bacteria-caused illness. Though all bacteria aren’t harmful, few of them do cause such illnesses as syphilis, tuberculosis, salmonella, and some kinds of meningitis.
What is antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance refers to the development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics. If this happens, common antibiotics may no longer work to treat illnesses such as pneumonia or diarrhea.
Causes of antibiotic resistance
- Spread of drug resistance in health facilities and in the community
- Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals
- Poor-quality antibiotics
- Lack of hygiene
A global action plan to tackle the growing problem of resistance to antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines was endorsed at the 68th World Health Assembly in May 2015.