Plymouth GP: “Have a cough or cold? Take care, not antibiotics”

A doctor from Plymouth has reminded people of the importance of using antibiotics wisely to help prevent the increase in antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotics Awareness Day takes place on 18 November and Dr David Gwynne, a GP from Plymouth and a clinical lead for medicines optimisation at Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), has backed a European campaign that encourages responsible use of antibiotics.

Studies show that patients are less likely to ask their GP for antibiotics if they are advised what to expect during the course of their illness.

The NHS has now developed an information leaflet for doctors or other medical professionals to give to their patients that explains what illnesses do not require antibiotics, what patients can do to ease the symptoms and during what instances they should go back to their GP practice or contact NHS 111.

Dr Gwynne said many antibiotics are prescribed and used for mild infections when they don’t need to be and people often get better without them.

“Our main message is that antibiotics are losing their effectiveness at an increasing rate due to “antibiotic resistance” and therefore, for most people, if you are suffering from a cough or cold you should take care, not antibiotics,” he said.

“We know that most people will get better without antibiotics. In fact antibiotics may even make the situation worse by causing unpleasant side effects such as sickness or diarrhoea.

“Resistance to antibiotics is becoming increasingly a serious problem in many countries and most resistance rates have more than doubled in the past five years, which is an alarming rate.

“We can all play a part in helping to ensure our bodies do not become resistant to antibiotics by always completing a course of antibiotics as instructed by our family doctor, and never skipping doses or saving them for later.”

Pharmacies can also provide a range of health services and advice, including medication for the common complaints that are sometimes inappropriately treated with antibiotics such as coughs, colds, sore throats and earaches.

People don’t even need to make an appointment and a pharmacist is usually available to spend some time with them.

More information about Antibiotics Awareness Day is here: http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/EAAD/Pages/Home.aspx