Antibiotic Awareness Campaign
Following the campaign run in November & December 2012, the results from 200 patient surveys
are summarised below with appropriate comments.
1.
Antibiotics can be used to treat (please underline either A, B or C):
A) All infections
B) Only Bacterial Infections
C) Only Viral infections
72% had the correct answer. Antibiotics do not work against infections, such as colds, caused by viruses.
Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria
2.
Do you think you should be given antibiotics for:
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Common cold
Flu
Urine infection
Pneumonia
Sore throat
Tonsillitis
Ear Infection
Antibiotic Awareness Campaign
Whilst 78% felt they should be given antibiotics for an ear infection and 68% for tonsillitis, in fact most will
clear up on their own and in general from the list antibiotics are normally only prescribed for Urine Infections
(93% of patients felt this was appropriate) and Pneumonia (73% of patients). The best way to treat most colds,
coughs or sore throats is to drink plenty of fluids and to rest, and of course there are many over the counter
remedies to ease the symptoms that are available from your local chemist.
3.
Do you know what ‘antibiotic resistance’ means:
74% of patients are aware of antibiotic resistance. Bacteria can adapt and find ways to survive the effects of an
antibiotic and become “antibiotic resistant” so that the antibiotic no longer works. The more often we use an
antibiotic, the more likely it is that bacteria will become resistant to it. By using antibiotics less often we can
slow down the development of resistance which buys some time to develop new types of antibiotics.
4.
If you are given antibiotics by a doctor do you (please underline either A,B or C):
A) Always finish the course
B) Usually finish the course
C) Rarely finish the course
Antibiotic Awareness Campaign
Whilst 94% of patients say they will always finish the course, 4% will only usually complete the course of
antibiotics and 1% will rarely finish. When antibiotics are prescribed, the complete course should be taken in
order to get rid of the bacteria completely. If the course isn’t completed, some bacteria may be left to develop
resistance.
5.
From your experience do you feel the doctors at [insert surgery name or ‘this/your surgery’] (please
underline either A,B or C):
A) Prescribe antibiotics too easily?
B) Only prescribe antibiotics if needed?
C) Do not prescribe antibiotics when they might help?
Whilst 1% of patient felt the Doctors at Frimley Green prescribe antibiotics too easily and 3% felt that they do
not prescribe when they might help, it is pleasing to note that 91% felt they were only given antibiotics when
needed. Your Doctor will only prescribe antibiotics when you really need them, for example for a kidney
infection or pneumonia. Antibiotics should only be used when needed because excessive use can make
bacteria resistant to the antibiotics. Resistant bacteria can stay with you and can also be passed on to others.
This may put you and others at risk of not responding to antibiotics next time you need them.
Taking antibiotics when they are not necessary will not help you and in most cases your own immune system
should be able to fight simple infections. Equally, taking antibiotics will not help you recover or prevent the
viruses from spreading to others. By not using them unnecessarily, they are more likely to work when we need
them.