UPDATE: |NHS warning as drug-resistant ‘superbugs’ could make routine surgeries ‘risky’ News

Health chiefs warn that “superbugs” could send us back to a “pre-antibiotic era”

NHS officials have warned that antimicrobial resistance poses one of the “biggest health threats” to the UK and could send us back to a “pre-antibiotic era” where routine surgeries would become “risky”.

Antimicrobial resistance, also known as AMR, happens when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned that AMR is stopping antibiotics from working properly, putting us at risk of a world where common medical procedures, such as getting your appendix or tonsils being removed, having a caesarean section, or getting dental work, could become “extremely risky” due to the threat of infections.

There were estimated 66,730 serious antibiotic-resistant infections in 2023, the UKHSA says, which was a jump from 62,314 seen in 2019. The UKHSA warns that AMR, which caused 1.14 million deaths across the globe in 2021 alone, could claim an additional 39 million lives in the next 25 years.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are less likely to respond to some medicines, putting patients at risk of serious complications such as bloodstream infections and sepsis. The UKHSA even warns that patients with a bacterial infection resistant to one or more antibiotics are more likely to die from their infection.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, National Medical Director for NHS England, said: “Antimicrobial resistance is one of the UK’s biggest health threats, with tens of thousands of people developing antibiotic resistance each year.

“This makes it harder to treat conditions that were once easily managed and could even send us back to a pre-antibiotic era where routine surgeries like C-sections, hip replacements, and cancer treatments would become risky.

“That’s why it’s crucial young people understand the proper use of antibiotics to help prevent drug-resistant ‘superbugs’ now and in the future.”

The UKHSA has launched a campaign to challenge misconceptions about antibiotics amongst Brits, and in particular young people, to tackle AMR after a survey revealed that nearly half (41 per cent) of young adults aged 18-34 obtained antibiotics incorrectly, compared to just 23 per cent within the general population.

The UKHSA has therefore urged Brits to follow three simple steps to help tackle antibiotic resistance, which include:

• Do not take antibiotics for colds and flu as they do not work against viruses
• Never save antibiotics for later use as they won’t work properly and could make the problem worse
• Only take antibiotics exactly as directed by your GP, nurse or pharmacist

Professor Dame Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA, said: “Antibiotic resistance is impacting people every day in this country and is one of the biggest threats to our future health.

“But we can all help tackle the problem. Everyone, especially young people, has the power to help change this by following simple steps to take antibiotics correctly and only when they have been prescribed by a healthcare professional.

“This isn’t just for our own health – it’s about helping protect everyone in our communities and future generations.”