Overuse of antibiotics is one of the factors that leads to the superbug. Recent reports show there has been a 55 percent increase in the number of cases of MRSA across the country, rising from 648 in 1999 to 1003 in 2000. Dr Eileen Sables, who is campaign spokesperson, says health professionals have joined forces in this fight against overuse of antibiotics in a bid to prevent resistance. Dr Sables says one of the problems has been the public's expectation that they should receive antibiotics for viruses such as colds and flu. However, these can't be killed by antibiotics.
Antibiotics are powerful medicines that are effective against a wide range of bacteria.
But they aren't effective against illnesses caused by viruses and when we try to fight them this way it simply adds to the problem of resistance. This is a community wide problem and we all need to take on board that we must use antibiotics appropriately. She says the best way to find out if someone needs antibiotics or not is to see a doctor, who will distinguish between bacterial or viral infections. If you need an antibiotic you will get one. However, if you have a cold or the flu the best treatment for you is rest and simple medicines such as paracetamol.