The UK will soon start to use artificial intelligence in the battle against drug-resistant diseases (sometimes called superbugs).
These happen, the BBC explained, when misuse and overuse of antibiotics gives bacteria time to evolve and become resistant to drugs. It’s estimated that about a million people die from superbugs across the world each year.
But what does the misuse, or overuse, of antibiotics actually look like?
HuffPost UK spoke to Dr Giuseppe Aragona, GP and medical adviser for Prescription Doctor, who said: “In my practice, I have absolutely noticed an increase in antibiotic resistance.
“We are seeing more cases of UTIs, for example, where first-line antibiotics are no longer effective, requiring us to use broader-spectrum or more potent alternatives, which themselves carry a higher risk of side effects and further resistance development. This is a worrying trend.”
Here, he shared his advice on when to take antibiotics, as well as his rules for limiting your chances of soreading superbugs.
When do you actually need antibiotics?
Antibiotics are only ever needed for bacterial infections and cannot do anything to help cure viral infections, “such as the common cold, flu, or most coughs and sore throats,” Dr Aragona said.
These often resolve on their own with time, rest, and OTC relief.
Doctors “typically consider antibiotics for bacterial infections that are confirmed or strongly suspected, such as certain types of pneumonia, severe bacterial tonsillitis, or urinary tract infections (UTIs),” the GP added.
“For instance, in cases of suspected bacterial sinusitis, we might initially advise a ‘wait and see’ approach, as many cases are viral and improve within a week to ten days without antibiotics.
“However, if symptoms worsen or persist beyond this timeframe, or if there are signs of a more severe bacterial infection, then antibiotics become a necessary consideration.”
Doctors also use clinical guidelines from places like the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to inform their choices.
“We aim to manage expectations by emphasising that our priority is to provide the most effective and safest treatment, which often means not prescribing an antibiotic.
“It’s about shifting the mindset from ‘I need an antibiotic to get better’ to ‘I need the right treatment to get better,’ which may or may not include an antibiotic,” the doctor stated.
Which antibiotic rules does Dr Aragona recommend following?
Firstly, it’s absolutely crucial to finish the antibiotics given to you.
“When you take antibiotics, they work by killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria. If you stop taking them prematurely, some of the stronger, more resistant bacteria might survive,” Dr Aragona explained.
“These surviving bacteria can then multiply, leading to a recurrence of the infection that is now harder to treat because the remaining bacteria are more resistant to the antibiotic you were taking.”
Avoiding the overuse and misuse of antibtiotics is key, too.
“Every time antibiotics are used, there’s a chance that some bacteria will develop resistance,” the GP said.
“When antibiotics are used unnecessarily, or when courses are not completed, this selective pressure increases, allowing resistant strains to thrive and spread. This is a global health crisis, and it means that infections that were once easily treatable are becoming increasingly difficult, and sometimes impossible, to cure.”
Therefore, the expert recommended:
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Only take antibiotics when prescribed by a doctor. Do not pressure your GP for antibiotics if they advise against them, and never use leftover antibiotics or those prescribed for someone else.
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Complete the full course of antibiotics.
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Practice good hygiene. Regular handwashing, especially after coughing, sneezing, or using the toilet, and before preparing food, helps prevent the spread of infections, reducing the need for antibiotics in the first place.
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Get vaccinated. Vaccinations protect against bacterial and viral infections, thereby reducing the overall need for antibiotics.
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Be an advocate. Understand and share information about antibiotic resistance with friends and family.
