Twitter chat: ask experts questions on antibiotic resistance
To mark European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD), WHO/Europe and its partners are holding a live Twitter chat on antibiotic resistance. Experts from WHO/Europe, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Commission directorates-general for research and for health and consumers will answer your questions.
The chat will take place on Monday, 18 November 2013, from 12:00 to 13:30 UTC/GMT (13:00 to 14:30 CET).
How to send questions
Tweet your questions to @WHO_Europe, using the hashtag #EAAD
If you are unable to join the live chat, leave questions for the experts on WHO/Europe’s Facebook page.
A summary of the discussions will be available after the chat.
Background
Antibacterial drugs, also called antibiotics, are used to prevent and treat bacterial infections such as tuberculosis and bloodstream, wound, respiratory-tract and sexually transmitted infections. Their overuse, misuse and underuse have led to increasing resistance to these drugs.
The more antibiotics are used, the higher the risk of resistance. The food industry’s increased use of antibiotics can lead to the further emergence of resistant bacteria and genes that threaten human health.
Antibiotic resistance, especially in relation to hospital-acquired infections, is gaining priority as a public health issue. A key reason is that new drugs are not coming on the market soon enough.
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More information about European Antibiotic Awareness Day
Source: WHO/Europe
