An increase in antibiotic-resistant infections threatens to bring ‘another crisis’ as Covid-19 restrictions ease, experts have warned.
Last year the number of drug-resistant infections fell for the first since 2016, but still remained higher than six years ago.
However, rates are likely to increase again as life continues to return to normal, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned.
Antibiotics can be prescribed to treat coughs, earaches and sore throats, but are also vital for tackling bacterial infections which cause pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis, as well as protecting against infection during chemotherapy.
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria no longer respond to treatment, causing serious complications.
Drug-resistant infections in England fell from 65,583 in 2019 to 55,384 in 2020.
The fall is likely to be because people socialised less, there were fewer people in hospital and handwashing improved.
But the proportion of bloodstream infections which are resistant to some antibiotics increased in the same period, meaning a rise in these infections is likely as people mix freely again.
Fears over antibiotic-resistant infections are not new.
Experts have described the problem ‘as a hidden pandemic’ and called on people to ‘act responsibly’ by continuing to wash their hands and only taking antibiotics when needed.
Unnecessarily taking them increases the likelihood that harmful bacteria in the body will become resistant.
Efforts have been made to decrease antibiotic prescribing for this reason.
UKSHA said prescribing by GPs has dropped in recent years, driven by reductions in antibiotics given for respiratory infections.
Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical advisor at UKHSA, said: ‘AMR (antimicrobial resistance) has been described as a hidden pandemic and it’s important that we do not come out of Covid-19 and enter into another crisis.
‘It is likely that Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 including enhanced infection, prevention and control measures also played a part in driving down antibiotic resistance and prescribing.
‘While these measures were severe, serious antibiotic-resistant infections will rise once again if we don’t act responsibly and that can be as simple as regular and thorough handwashing.
‘As we head into winter, with increasing amounts of respiratory infections in circulation, it’s important to remember that antibiotics are not needed for many cold-like symptoms.
‘Stay at home if you feel unwell.
‘Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them only puts you and your loved ones at more risk in the future so please listen to your GP, nurse, dentist or pharmacist’s advice.’
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