The presence of antibiotics in the world has changed everything about modern medicine and the ways infections are fought. Reducing mortality and extending life expectancy, antibiotics now save the lives of millions of people each and every year.
However, over the century since their discovery, the prolific use of antibiotics has brought about certain new bacteria that are stronger and resistant. One of the ways to combat this is to make the public more aware of the appropriate use of these medicines!
US Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW) seeks to make more people knowledgeable about the proper steps of antibiotic use as well as to remind medical professionals about their responsibility to manage and handle antibiotic and antifungal medicines properly.
How to Celebrate US Antibiotic Awareness Week
Get Informed About Antibiotics
One of the top priorities for US Antibiotic Awareness Week is for everyone to get more informed and educated about the proper use of antibiotics and how to prevent more resistant strains.
The CDC website offers excellent resources for individuals, organizations and medical professionals to bring better understanding of antibiotic resistance to local communities around the nation.
Wear Purple
One of the initiatives to raise involvement with US Antibiotic Awareness Week is the Go Purple campaign.
This encourages people, whether concerned citizens or people working in the medical world, to wear purple as a conversation starter about antibiotics.
Ask Questions about Antibiotics
One way for patients to stay informed during this week and all throughout the year is to be proactive in asking questions of their doctor, nurse practitioner, pharmacist or other medical professional about the use of antibiotics.
Use Antibiotics Wisely
Antibiotics only work on bacteria (like sinus infections or pneumonia) but not viruses (like colds and flu). Be a critical thinker when it comes to trying helpful alternatives to antibiotics before asking for a prescription for something that may be viral instead of bacterial!
In addition, fighting antibiotic resistance means it is vital to take all antibiotics exactly as prescribed, for the entire duration of the course, even if a person is feeling better.
Celebrate with US Antibiotic Awareness Week Themes
Each year, the CDC and other organizers announce a theme that targets a specific topic for the week. Check out the current theme for this year and take a look at some of the past themes for USAAW events:
- Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance Takes All of Us
- Go Purple, People and Landscapes
- Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together
- Be Antibiotics Aware
History of US Antibiotic Awareness Week
US Antibiotic Awareness Week was started by the US Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2008.
Originally called Get Smart About Antibiotics Week, the name was changed a few years later and it has been celebrated annually ever since.
While this event is specifically related to and targeted toward the United States and sponsored by the CDC, it is coordinated to be celebrated at the same time as World AMR Awareness Week, which is an Antimicrobial Resistance awareness event sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Since its founding, Antibiotic Awareness Week has grown to include more than 300 different partnership organizations and agencies that champion the cause together!
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