WORLD ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AWARENESS WEEK (WHO)

WORLD ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AWARENESS WEEK 2027

Medicines that treat infections have saved countless lives. Antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, and antiparasitic medicines help us prevent and treat diseases in humans and animals.

But these medicines are becoming less effective against some infections.

This is known as antimicrobial resistance, or AMR.

AMR occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond effectively to medicines used to treat them.

When this happens, infections can become harder to treat, illnesses can last longer, treatment can become more expensive, and the risk of severe illness and death can increase.

Why should we care about AMR?

Imagine a future where medicines that once easily treated common infections no longer work.

That future is not just a possibility. Antimicrobial resistance is already affecting healthcare systems and communities around the world.

AMR can make routine medical procedures, surgeries, cancer treatment, childbirth, and treatment of serious infections more difficult and risky.

And the problem is not limited to hospitals.

It can affect our homes, schools, farms, workplaces, communities, and food systems.

Antibiotics do not treat every infection

One of the most important things everyone should know is that antibiotics treat bacterial infections, not viral infections such as the common cold or most cases of flu.

Taking antibiotics when they are not needed does not help you recover from a viral infection and can contribute to the development and spread of resistant bacteria.

Never take antibiotics simply because you have symptoms that resemble an illness for which you previously received antibiotics.

Help stop antimicrobial resistance

Everyone has a role to play.

Healthcare professionals: Prescribe and use antimicrobials responsibly and only when appropriate.

Patients: Take antimicrobial medicines only when prescribed or recommended by a qualified healthcare professional. Follow the instructions carefully.

Never share antibiotics: A medicine prescribed for someone else may not be appropriate for you.

Animal and agricultural sectors: Use antimicrobials responsibly and follow appropriate veterinary guidance.

Everyone: Practice good hygiene, wash your hands regularly, maintain good sanitation, practice safe food handling, and keep vaccinations up to date where recommended.

Do not misuse antibiotics

Avoid:

❌ Buying antibiotics without appropriate medical advice.
❌ Taking leftover antibiotics from a previous illness.
❌ Sharing antibiotics with family or friends.
❌ Stopping or changing treatment without speaking to a healthcare professional.
❌ Pressuring healthcare workers to prescribe antibiotics when they are not needed.

Using antibiotics responsibly today helps preserve their effectiveness for tomorrow.

AMR is a shared responsibility

Antimicrobial resistance does not respect borders.

It requires cooperation across human health, animal health, agriculture, food production, environmental health, governments, healthcare institutions, communities, and individuals.

This is why tackling AMR requires a One Health approach, recognizing that the health of people, animals, plants, and the environment are closely connected.

This World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 2027, SHEAD Centre calls on everyone to become part of the solution.

Use medicines responsibly.

Prevent infections.

Keep vaccinations up to date where recommended.

Practice good hygiene.

Seek appropriate medical advice.

And most importantly, do not misuse antimicrobials.

Because when medicines stop working, the consequences affect us all.

🦠 Protect the medicines that protect us.