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What can be done?
People can tackle resistance by:
- hand washing, and avoiding close contact with sick people to prevent transmission of bacterial infections and viral infections such as influenza or rotavirus, and using condoms to prevent the transmission of sexually-transmitted infections
- getting vaccinated, and keeping vaccinations up to date
- using antimicrobial drugs only when they are prescribed by a certified health professional
- completing the full treatment course (which in the case of antiviral drugs may require life-long treatment), even if they feel better
- never sharing antimicrobial drugs with others or using leftover prescriptions.
Policy-makers can tackle resistance by:
- improving monitoring around the extent and causes of resistance
- strengthening infection control and prevention
- regulating and promoting appropriate use of medicines
- making information widely available on the impact of antimicrobial resistance and how the public and health professionals can play their part
- rewarding innovation and development of new treatment options and other tools.
Health workers and pharmacists can help tackle resistance by:
- enhancing infection prevention and control in hospitals and clinics
- only prescribing and dispensing antibiotics when they are truly needed
- prescribing and dispensing the right antimicrobial drugs to treat the illness.
Policy-makers, scientists and industry can help tackle resistance by:
- fostering innovation and research and development of new vaccines, diagnostics, infection treatment options and other tools.
