Last week, delegates at the World Health Assembly endorsed a global action plan to tackle antibiotic resistance. The development of antibiotics in the 1940's, was one of the most significant advances in medicine. But now, thanks to overuse and misuse of antibiotics, bacteria are becoming resistant, compromising our ability to treat infectious diseases, as well as undermining many other advances in health and medicine. Without effective antibiotics, routine procedures that we take for granted, such as gallbladder removal or hip replacement, could become high risk, and some surgery such as organ transplant could become so risky that no-one would be willing to carry out it out. Infectious diseases such as impetigo and sinusitis could become life-threatening.

Imagine a world where antibiotics no longer work — what would that look like? Every time we take antibiotics unnecessarily or incorrectly, we encourage the development of dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria and contribute to the spread of superbugs in the community. Australia has one of the highest rates of antibiotic consumption in the developed world, but there are steps we can all take to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance. Act now and help prevent antibiotic resistance by committing to the following:

I will not ask for antibiotics for colds and the flu as they have no effect on viruses
I understand that antibiotics will not help me recover faster from a viral infection
I will only take antibiotics in the way they have been prescribed
I understand that it is possible to pass on antibiotic resistant bacteria to others
I will make a greater effort to prevent the spread of germs by practising good hygiene

Doctors have to resist the temptation to prescribe, and all of us have to learn to take no for an answer where antibiotics are concerned.