Warning as infections fight back

Ailments including colds should not be treated with antibiotics

A public health report has shown that some common infections are becoming more resistant to treatment in Wales.

The findings have been released as the assembly government unveiled a leaflet for patients which aims to reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics.

The Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Tony Jewell, said there was a "misconception" they could help relieve symptoms of coughs and colds.

He said people needed to reduce their reliance on antibiotics.

The leaflet stresses that taking antibiotics when they are not needed could reduce their effectiveness.

The report was put together by the National Public Health Service for Wales' (NPHS) Antimicrobial Resistance Programme and covers the period 2006-7.

The leaflet will stress that antibiotics are either not required or not effective for many ailments like common colds, most coughs and sore throats.

Dr Jewell said taking antibiotics when they were not needed or not taking them correctly would lead to more bacteria becoming resistant to them.

There's a quite a high expectation to receive antibiotics for quite minor conditions such as colds and coughs. Ellen Jones, Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain

"We therefore need to reduce our reliance on the prescription of antibiotics for common ailments that could be treated in other ways," he explained.

"Pharmacists are experts on medicines and can advise patients on the best medicines to treat their symptoms and can help them decide whether a visit to the GP or a prescription is necessary."

He said there were clear guidelines for GPs and other health professionals on prescribing antibiotics, particularly for respiratory infections.

However, he added that a group set up to look at the issue of antibiotic resistance felt patients needed more information so they could understand when antibiotics were effective or not.

Dr Robin Howe, of the National Public Health Service for Wales urges against the use of antibiotics to fight colds

"There is a misconception, for example, that if someone has a common cold, then antibiotics will relieve the symptoms," he said.

"In fact, as all colds and most coughs and sore throats are caused by viruses, antibiotics are not effective.

"It would be better for the patient to stay warm and have warm drinks and manage the effects with over-the-counter cold medicines."

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) said it had also produced an information leaflet to help patients understand antibiotics better.

Ellen Jones, from the RPSGB said: "Taking antibiotics incorrectly will lead to more bacteria becoming resistant and the antibiotics becoming ineffective."

"The research that's been published does show that there's an increasing amount of resistance to more common antibiotics which is quite worrying.

"I think a part of the problem is that there's a quite a high expectation to receive antibiotics for quite minor conditions such as colds and coughs.

"Antibacterials are not going to do anything to treat these conditions and patients would be much better off in seeking advise first of all from the pharmacy so that it an be treated with over the counter products which will help to treat the symptoms far better."

Dr Eamon Jessop, a GP in Prestatyn said doctors had to accept some blame.

"It is very difficult when you have a patient in front of you," he said.

"They've looked at the reason why doctors prescribe antibiotics for sore throats and all the trials show quite clearly that social factors are overwhelmingly more important than the black and white of what's in front of you."