This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Antimicrobial resistance

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

There is an increasing problem of antimicrobial resistance in the community. A letter from the Chief Medical Officer (7/9/98) identified four areas which could make a significant impact on the volume of antimicrobials prescribed:

  • antibiotics should not be prescribed for simple coughs and colds

  • antibiotics should not be prescribed for viral sore throats

  • in cases of uncomplicated cystitis in otherwise fit young women, antibiotics should only be prescribed for three days

  • the prescribing over the telephone of antibiotics should be limited to exceptional cases

Further guidance concerning antibiotic prescribing for self-limiting respiratory tract infections in adults and children in primary care has been given (2).

 

Reference:

  • PL/CMO/98/6 (PL/CNO/98/7 PL/CDO/98/4 PL/CPHO/98/1)
  • NICE (June 2008).Respiratory tract infections - antibiotic prescribing for self-limiting respiratory tract infections in adults and children in primary care.

Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page