Medical experts are urging the public to be careful in their use of antibiotics as the threat grows from infections that are resistant to common antibiotics.

The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) is holding a free public meeting* tomorrow (Tuesday) which will discuss the dangers from the overuse of antibiotics.

Antibiotics are the greatest medical advance of the past 100 years but they but their effectiveness is under increasing threat, according to Dr Fidelma Fitzpatrick of the RCPI.

According to Prof Edmond Smyth of Beaumont Hospital, the problem of antibiotic resistance in Ireland may not yet be as serious as it is in some parts of Europe but it is an important factor when deciding which antibiotic is used to treat patients with common infections like cystitis of pneumonia, or those with severe life-threatening infections.

"Unless we take action now and use antibiotics more carefully, we will soon regularly encounter patients with untreatable infection."

According to Dr Fidelma Fitzpatrick of the RCPI, antibiotics are the greatest medical advance of the past 100 years by their effectiveness is under increasing threat.

She said before they became available in the 1940s, common injuries such as cuts and scratches that became infected could result in death or serious illness because there was no treatment available.

"Thankfully, this does not happen anymore as we have antibiotics to treat these infections. However, they must be used appropriately otherwise we risk returning to the pre-antibiotic era," Dr Fitpatrick said.

The RCPI meeting will feature demonstrations and advice on how members of the public can protect themselves from picking up common bugs by community pharmacist, Kathy Maher.

“We can protect ourselves from getting sick by adopting a healthy lifestyle of good food, exercise and enough sleep. And if you think you may need an antibiotic talk to your pharmacist first. They’ll give you good advice on whether you need to see a doctor or if you can treat yourself with an over-the-counter remedy,” Ms Maher said.

* Good bugs, bad bugs and super bugs - Protecting you and your family from infection takes place at 6:30pm on Tuesday, January 14 in the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, 6 Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

A live webcast of the meeting can be viewed at www.rcpi.ie