Antibiotics have ‘utterly transformed modern medicine', yet their misuse is a serious public health issue, doctors have warned.

The overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, a serious issue, particularly among vulnerable people such as elderly hospital patients. Furthermore, overuse can lead to the drugs not working as effectively when they are really needed.

Antibiotics should only be used to treat bacterial infections. They cannot treat viruses and as the vast majority of colds and flu are viral, antibiotics should not be used to treat these illnesses.

It is widely accepted that antibiotic resistance is driven by high rates of prescribing, particularly for coughs, colds and upper respiratory tract infections.

According to Dr Fidelma Fitzpatrick, a consultant microbiologist, it is people's ‘casual attitude' to antibiotics that is damaging their effectiveness and leading to a rise in so-called superbugs, such as MRSA.

In response to this, a new antibiotics awareness campaign has been launched. It is supported by the Department of Health, the HSE, the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), the Royal College of Physicians (RCPI) and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).

"Leading clinicians from the HSE, general practice, hospital care, surgery, dentistry and pharmacy all agree that everyone has an important role to play in ensuring correct use of antibiotics, and tackling the global health threat of antibiotic resistance. The evidence is very clear - overuse and misuse of antibiotics has allowed bacteria to develop resistance and they are becoming immune to the drugs we use to defend ourselves against them," Dr Fitzpatrick commented.

She pointed out that before antibiotics were available, common injuries such as cuts that became infected ‘could result in death or serious illness'.

"Thankfully, this does not happen anymore as we have antibiotics available to treat these infections. Antibiotics have utterly transformed modern medicine. However they must be used appropriately and by misusing them we face the risk of returning to the pre-antibiotic era," Dr Fitzpatrick warned.

The campaign is reminding people that antibiotics will not work on colds and flu, however if you are prescribed antibiotics, they should be taken exactly as directed. Even if you feel better, you should always finish your course of drugs. This ensures that the bacteria responsible are killed and no survivors are left which could develop resistance.

According to ICGP president Dr Seamus Cryan, the ICGP has been actively encouraging its member GPs to reduce the amount of antibiotics they prescribe for a number of years.

"Antibiotics are not effective for the treatment of viruses such as head colds, flu, and chickenpox. They will not reduce a fever. They will not relieve a cough. They will not relieve pain. Most common infections are viral, and are treatable with rest and fluids.

"Both GPs and patients need to be constantly reminded that antibiotics are a valuable resource and should only be used appropriately, even if recovery takes longer without them," he commented.

As part of this campaign, information leaflets and posters are being distributed to GPs and pharmacies nationwide. There will also be ads on national radio and further information is available from the HSE here