HEALTH bosses are warning patients in the Wyre Forest district against using too many antibiotics.

They say overuse of them can cause serious health problems as bugs become resistant to them.

NHS Wyre Forest issued its message in support of European Antibiotics Awareness Day, which took place on Tuesday (November 18).

It is raising awareness through the ‘Take Care, not Antibiotics’ campaign, which aims to educate people about measures that can be taken to protect people from developing antibiotic resistant to infections such as Clostridium Difficile (Cdiff).

Patients often request antibiotics for colds, flu or other viral infections, which they cannot treat.

NHS Wyre Forest says that not only are antibiotics of no benefit for such conditions - but they can also become less effective over time against bacteria they are intended to treat.

Wendy Pigg (correct), medicines assurance pharmacist for the three Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups, including NHS Wyre Forest, said: “It’s important that patients use antibiotics in the right way, ensuring they are only used when needed to treat bacterial infections.

“Antibiotics can’t help treat colds or flu - in many of these cases plenty of rest at home and staying well hydrated is the best cause of action.

“There’s been a definite change in behaviour since the launch of the ‘Take Care not Antibiotics’ campaign a couple of years ago, but there’s still a lot more work to be done to make sure that antibiotics remain effective for us and future generations.”

NHS Wyre Forest also urges patients who are prescribed antibiotics to complete the course – because failing to do so encourages bacteria to become resistant.

And resistant bacteria can then spread from person to person.

Patients are advised to talk to their GP or pharmacist for more advice on antibiotics.

And they can take part in the “Antibiotic Guardian Pledge Campaign” – www.antibioticguardian.com - which calls on people to vow to make better use of antibiotics.