City of Kitchener’s Carl Zehr Square shows support with Waterloo Pharmacy third year in a row and lights up blue for World Antimicrobial Awareness Week
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a top global threat most people are unaware of, affecting human health, food security and has significant negative economic impacts.
Modern medicine, agriculture and veterinary care all depend on the availability of effective antimicrobials. However, since their discovery, antibiotics and antimicrobials such as antivirals and antifungals have become less effective as microbes develop resistance to them. This makes it harder to treat infections when they occur and it has become more dangerous to provide advanced medical therapies, such as chemotherapy and surgery.
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week is an annual campaign that runs from November 18-24 to highlight the consequences of AMR and share strategies to combat it through global innovation, monitoring and education.
The week of November 18-24, buildings across Canada will be lit blue to bring awareness to AMR. The City of Kitchener’s Carl Zehr Square joins the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy in this #GoBlueForAMR colour campaign for the third consecutive year.
While solving AMR requires action from government and healthcare providers, patients also have a role to play. Three ways you can help:
- Do your best to prevent infections by practicing thorough hand washing.
- Guard against antibiotic overuse by consulting your healthcare provider if antibiotics are the best course of treatment. Fluids and rest are the best remedies for chest colds, coughs and the flu.
- Learn about responsible antimicrobial use. Follow the prescription as directed, do not share antibiotics and return unused medications to the pharmacy.
To learn more about AMR: