By: Kaustubh Augustine | Date - 18th to 24th November 2019

This November, on the World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW), we aim to increase the awareness on antibiotic resistance to avoid the further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.

DAY - 1 (18/11/2019)

Do you know anyone who pops antibiotic pills without a prescription ?

As a healthcare professional, do you always ensure your hands, instruments and the environment is infection free?

Do you prescribe Antibiotics only when needed, and as per the guidelines?

This November, through World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW), we at Switch India through its Awareness Campaign Cell aim to increase the awareness on antibiotic resistance to avoid the further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.

Stay connected with us to know more on Preventive and Control Methods as an Individual and a healthcare professional

CHECK THE IMAGE TO KNOW WHY IS ANTIBIOTICS RESISTANCE A PROBLEM

Source: World Antibiotic Awareness Week 2019

DAY - 2 (19/11/2019)

Fighting antibiotic resistance is in our hands! Antibiotics, the medicines used to prevent and treat bacterial infections become resistant to the treatment when bacteria adapt in response to these medicines (Antibiotic Resistance ).

YOU as a healthcare professional can prevent antibiotic resistance by:

  • Ensuring your hands, instruments, and environment are clean
  • Prescribing Antibiotics only when needed, as per the guidelines
  • Reporting antibiotic-resistant infections to surveillance teams
  • Talking to your patients about how to take antibiotics correctly
  • Talking to your patients about preventing infections

Explain your patients how to:

  • Use antibiotics only when prescribed by a health professional
  • Never share or use leftover antibiotics for the same or any different symptoms
  • Prevent infections by regularly washing hands, consuming hygienically prepared food, avoiding close contact with sick people, practising safer sex, and keeping vaccinations up to date

CHECK THE IMAGE TO KNOW WHY IS ANTIBIOTICS RESISTANCE A PROBLEM

Source: World Antibiotic Awareness Week 2019

DAY - 3 (20/11/2019)

Remember we told you personal hygiene and Hand Washing is a wonderful way to prevent infection spread and thus Antibiotic Resistance. Here is how..

  • Use alcohol-based hand rubs unless hands are visibly soiled
  • Put up wallcharts wherever possible to advise on proper technique
  • Raise awareness among your friends, family and patients on the importance of hand hygiene. If you as a medico don't do it, who else will?

Do you prescribe Antibiotics only when needed, and as per the guidelines?

This November, through World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW), we at Switch India through its Awareness Campaign Cell aim to increase the awareness on antibiotic resistance to avoid the further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.

Stay connected with us to know more on Preventive and Control Methods as an Individual and a healthcare professional

Source: Antibiotic Resistance and Importance Hand Hygiene

DAY - 4 (21/11/2019)

Antibiotic Resistance has made some of the most common Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) more difficult to treat. Safe sex is a very effective method that can prevent further spread of STDs.

Who, What, When of STD Screening:

  • All adults and adolescents from ages 13 to 64 should get tested atleast once for HIV.
  • -All sexually active women younger than 25 should get tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year.
  • Women of age 25 and above having multiple sexual partners / new sexual relation and sexual partner tested positive for any STD should also be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year.
  • All pregnant women should get tested for syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B early in their pregnancy. At-risk pregnant women should also get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea early in their pregnancy.
  • All sexually active gay, transgender and bisexual individuals should be tested at least once a year for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
  • Anyone who have unsafe sex or shares injection or any drug introducing equipment should get tested for HIV at least once a year

STD Screening Information for healthcare providers: https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/screening-recommendations.htm

CHECK THE IMAGE TO KNOW WHY IS ANTIBIOTICS RESISTANCE A PROBLEM

DAY - 5 (22/11/2019)

Vaccinating humans and animals is a very effective way to stop them from getting infected and thereby preventing the need for antibiotics

Expanding the use of existing vaccines will reduce the use of antibiotics and the development of resistance.

Vaccines against viruses, such as the flu, also have a role to play, because people often take antibiotics unnecessarily when they have symptoms such as fever that can be caused by a virus.

As a health professional, here's a job for y'all - There's a dire need to develop and use new vaccines to prevent bacterial diseases that can further reduce the development of resistance.

Source: Vaccination Antibiotic Resistance

DAY - 6 (23/11/2019)

Kya Aap Din Mei Do Baar Brush Karte Hai?

Kya Aapke Toothpaste mei Namak hai?

Maintaining good oral health is essential to maintain good overall health.

The goal of proper oral hygiene is to remove or prevent formation and buildup of plaque and tartar, dental caries and periodontal disease, and decrease the incidence of halitosis.

Good oral hygiene prevents infections from spreading, reducing the need for antibiotics which limit antibiotic resistance.

Source: Techniques of Hygiene