As Antibiotic Guardians we are working with the Lowering Antimicrobial prescribing (LAMP) project.
Increased and inappropriate use of antimicrobial drugs such as antibiotics has led to increasing resistance to them. We are rapidly heading towards a future where antibiotics no longer work and simple infections could have devastating consequences.
We are committed to working together with patients to ensure that antibiotics are only prescribed when clinically appropriate. By reducing antibiotic use we can keep antibiotics working and help keep everyone healthier.
Antibiotics do NOT work against viruses so they are ineffective again colds and viral chest, throat and ear infections.
Antibiotics can cause lots of side effects including diarrhoea and sickness.
Your clinician will only prescribe antibiotics if clinically indicated. If you are not sure or think you are getting worse, please contact us.
Here’s some information to help you judge how long a common illness and its symptoms should last (no antibiotics needed).
| Common Illness | Duration |
|---|---|
| Earache (middle ear infection) | 8 days |
| Sore throat | 7-8 days |
| Sinusitis (adults only) | 14-21 days |
| Cold | 14 days |
| Cough | 21 days |
For more information, visit Keep Antibiotics Working.