Why we should all keep antibiotics working in the South East and beyond

New data published by the UK Health Security Agency shows that antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections have fallen but remain at a higher level than five years ago.
The decline has largely been driven by a reduction in recorded bloodstream infections overall, likely due to physical COVID-19 restrictions in 2020 which included less social mixing and enhanced infection control measures. Changes in behaviour as well as prescribing and healthcare delivery have also played a part in driving down antibiotic prescribing and resistance.
However, the proportion of bloodstream infections that were resistant to one or more antibiotics increased overall nationally, suggesting we are likely to see a rise in antibiotic-resistant infections as pandemic-related restrictions are discontinued.
The annual data was published by UKHSA in a report entitled The English Surveillance Programme For Antimicrobial Utilisation And Resistance (ESPAUR) 2020-21 and released today, 17 November – the eve of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2021 – which aims to increase awareness of global antimicrobial resistance and reduce spread of drug-resistant infections.
Antibiotics are vital for the treatment of bacterial infections causing pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis. Modern medicine relies on antibiotics to deliver care such as chemotherapy, caesarean sections and other common surgeries. However, they are sometimes inappropriately prescribed to treat coughs, earache and sore throats where it is now clear they may have little or no effect.
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria no longer respond to treatment, causing serious complications, including bloodstream infections and hospitalisation. Taking antibiotics incorrectly encourages harmful bacteria that live inside you to become resistant. That means that antibiotics may not work when you really need them. Therefore, it is important to take antibiotics only when they are needed and helpful.
Rachel Mearkle, consultant in public health for the UKHSA in the South East, said:
“We need to continue to work together to prevent serious infections - including COVID-19 - while committing to reduce inappropriate and unnecessary antibiotic use and raise awareness so patients as well as healthcare professionals can play their part.
“The figures show over the past five years in our region that daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants have dropped from 18.1 in 2016 to 14.9 in 2020 which is encouraging, but we cannot afford to be complacent with these highly-resilient and adaptive organisms.
At this time of the year, viral infections causing cold-like symptoms are very common but antibiotics are not effective on viruses and can cause side effects. If you feel unwell please stay at home and follow the advice of NHS 111 or if needed consult your local surgery or chemist for advice. Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them puts you and those close to you at risk.
“Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is one of our top priorities and has rightly been described as a hidden pandemic. Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them now will create greater risk in the future so please listen to the advice of your GP, nurse, dentist or pharmacist. Armed with this information, patients should also feel empowered to make decisions with AMR very much in mind.”