People have been urged to treat antibiotics with respect amid concerns about deaths from conditions that should be treatable.
The number of people dying from antibiotic-resistant infections rose last year. Experts have warned of an “alarming increase” in drugs used to treat sepsis, for example, but not working.
Dame Jenny Harries, head of Britain’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA), warned that common ailments could one day become untreatable amid the superbug crisis.
It comes after figures showed that antibiotic prescriptions have recently risen sharply after years of decline.
According to the UKHSA, 58,224 people in England had an antibiotic-resistant infection in 2022, an increase of four per cent on 2021.
Figures show that the number of antibiotic prescriptions has risen sharply recently after years of decline. According to the UKHSA, 58,224 people in England had an antibiotic-resistant infection in 2022, an increase of four per cent on 2021
Data published by UKHSA shows that antibiotic use in England fell between 2014 and 2020, with a sharp decline in 2020. However, this trend has reversed, with prescriptions increasing by 8.4 per cent last year
As a result, approximately 2,202 people died, compared to 2,110 in the previous twelve months.
Data published by the agency shows that antibiotic use in England fell between 2014 and 2020, with a sharp decline in 2020.
However, this trend has reversed and the number of prescriptions increased by 8.4 percent last year.
Dr Colin Brown, deputy director of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) at UKHSA, attributed the decline in antibiotic-resistant infections since 2018 to the Covid pandemic and the resulting changes in people seeking healthcare and spreading infections.
He added: “Unfortunately, we have seen a further increase in antibiotic-resistant infections in 2022 compared to before.”
“We have not yet reduced the proportion of resistant infections – it remains fairly stable at around one in five bloodstream infections – and we are seeing an alarming increase in resistance associated with certain antibiotics used to fight bloodstream infections and blood poisoning.”
The chance of dying within 30 days from an antibiotic-resistant infection increased from 19 percent to 20 percent in 2022, compared to drug-susceptible strains, which had a rate of 16 percent.
People older than 64 had the highest rate of bloodstream infections from resistant pathogens, followed by infants younger than one year.
UKHSA data also showed that people in the lowest socio-economic groups were more likely to develop an antibiotic-resistant infection compared to people in wealthier groups, while Asian and British Asian people were more likely to be affected.
Dr Brown said: “We are currently working to understand the factors behind this and what we can do to address the trends we have identified.”
Dame Jenny added: “Antimicrobial resistance is not a crisis of the future, but one that worries us now.”
“We assume that in the case of a bacterial infection there is an antibiotic to treat it, but sometimes this is simply impossible.”
“If action is not taken, the availability of life-saving treatments will only decrease and our ability to reduce infections will decrease, which is likely to have the worst consequences for people in the poorest social backgrounds.”
Dame Jenny urged people to combat the spread of infection by avoiding vulnerable people if they feel ill, washing their hands regularly and ventilating rooms.
“It’s not just about protecting your own health, but also helping everyone in our communities,” she added.
“Second, only take antibiotics as a doctor prescribes. Do not save some of these for later or share with friends and family.
“Antibiotics do not work against viruses such as colds, flu or Covid.”
“Treat antibiotics with respect and they will help us all in the future.”
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
