'Influenza, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS combined': HSE warns of impact of antibiotic-resistance

Eva Osborne

The health impact of antibiotic-resistant infections is comparable to that of influenza, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS combined, the HSE has said.

Antibiotics are losing their effectiveness at an unforeseen pace, caused by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics.

The HSE said this is why this European Antibiotics Awareness Day (EAAD), it is reminding everyone how valuable antibiotics are and how important it is that we only use them when needed. Antibiotics cannot help if the infection is caused by a virus, it said.

HSE national clinical lead for antimicrobial resistance and infection control (AMRIC), Dr Eimear Brannigan, said: “Antibiotics are lifesaving drugs when used appropriately to treat bacterial infections, and are usually very safe for us.

"We have become reliant on antibiotics being effective to treat or prevent infection during many of our routine operations, treatments and for critical surgery such as organ transplants, cancer treatment and many illnesses.

"Unfortunately, over the last 100 years or so, a lot of antibiotics have been used in people, animals and crops, often when they were not always appropriate.

"Because of this antibiotic use, many bacteria have adapted so that antibiotics no longer work as well as they did 20 years ago. Bacteria or bugs become resistant to different types of antibiotics. These are sometimes called superbugs.

"So, antibiotics that once worked well to treat an infection may no longer work as well as before or, do not work at all. This is known as antibiotic resistance.”

So what can be done? The HSE said everyone is responsible and can make a difference in addressing this growing threat. Prudent use of antibiotics is important.

People are urged to use antibiotics only when prescribed and as prescribed and to use good infection prevention control practices to prevent infections spreading.