IDPH Marks U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week, November 18-24
Annual observance promotes smart use of antibiotics in
order to prevent antimicrobial resistance
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 [November 18, 2024]
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
will observe U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week November 18-24, 2024. The
annual event is intended to increase public knowledge about the
importance of careful use of antibiotics in order to prevent
antimicrobial resistance, where bacteria and other germs develop an
immunity to the drugs that were designed to fight them.
“Antibiotics are powerful, life-saving medications used to treat serious
bacterial infections,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “However,
overuse or misuse of these medications can cause them to no longer work,
contributing to antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance is a
serious public health concern leading to drug-resistant illnesses that
have fewer effective therapies. Antibiotic Awareness Week is a good
reminder for Illinois residents to use antibiotics only when necessary
and carefully follow your provider and pharmacist’s instructions in
their use.”
Vohra notes that antibiotics do not treat viruses, such as those that
cause colds, the flu, RSV, or COVID-19. Use of antibiotics when not
medically recommended can increase the likelihood of antimicrobial
resistance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
estimates that each year, more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant
infections occur in the United States, and more than 35,000 people die
as a result.
Combatting antimicrobial resistance is a year-round focus of IDPH, which
works to educate providers and the public on best practices for the use
of antibiotics. This year, the department sponsored a milestone tenth
annual conference on the subject, bringing experts from around the state
and nation together in July in Lisle, Illinois, for sessions on how to
promote antimicrobial stewardship in health care facilities, and
combatting health inequities that could leave some people more
vulnerable to drug-resistant illness. Nearly 300 people attended this
year’s event, with the majority expressing that they would recommend
that their colleagues attend future summits as well. You can learn more
about IDPH’s antimicrobial stewardship efforts at the IDPH
Antimicrobial Stewardship page.
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The theme of this year’s observance is “Fighting Antimicrobial
Resistance Takes All of Us,” a message aimed at health care
professionals and the general public. This message focuses on a “One
Health” approach to fight antimicrobial resistance, which recognizes
the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals,
plants, and their shared environment. The overall goal is to get
everyone working together to improve the global prescribing and use
of antimicrobials such as antibiotic and antifungal drugs. The CDC
estimates that as many as 30 percent of prescriptions for
antibiotics are not medically necessary, representing approximately
47 million prescriptions.
The CDC encourages practitioners to talk with patients about when
antibiotics are, and are not, appropriate, what other steps they can
take to feel better, and when to seek additional care. The CDC has
put together an easy reference chart to further explain when
antibiotics should and should not be used.
In addition to working with providers on best practices, IDPH also
reminds the general public of the important role they can play in
preventing antimicrobial resistance. Good hygiene can reduce
infections and lower the risk of drug resistance. Recommended
preventive measures include regular hand-washing with soap and water
(or using a hand sanitizer that’s at least 60% alcohol); covering
coughs and sneezes; staying home when sick; and getting recommended
vaccines, including flu and COVID shots.
As part of the observance of U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week,
Governor JB Pritzker issued a proclamation and recorded a video to
encourage Illinoisans to learn more about antimicrobial resistance
and the steps they can take to protect themselves. The governor
notes in the video that “it takes ALL of us to be successful in
fighting antimicrobial resistance.” You can
see the video here. You
can see the governor’s proclamation at
antibiotic-awareness-week-proclamation-2024.pdf
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