"Antibiotic Overuse Is Momentary, Resistance Lasts a Lifetime"…Take Medication as Prescribed by Your Doctor

KDCA Launches Campaign for World Antimicrobial Awareness Week

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) will conduct a nationwide campaign from November 18 to 24 in recognition of 'World Antimicrobial Awareness Week' to raise awareness about the seriousness of antimicrobial resistance and to promote a culture of proper antibiotic use.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated antimicrobial resistance as one of the top 10 public health threats facing humanity since 2019, and has been urging the operation and participation in global campaigns that emphasize raising public awareness as a core strategy for prevention.

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria adapt to repeated exposure to antibiotics, rendering existing treatments ineffective. This not only leads to treatment failures but also increases medical costs. However, the KDCA explains that it is a 'preventable threat' and can be avoided if people have the right awareness and make efforts to use antibiotics appropriately.

The KDCA plans to spread correct awareness about antibiotic use and encourage a culture of careful consumption according to doctors' prescriptions through the nationwide promotional slogan, "Antibiotic overuse is momentary! Resistance lasts a lifetime." The agency will also widely publicize preventive guidelines, such as taking antibiotics exactly as prescribed in terms of dosage and duration, and not discontinuing antibiotics arbitrarily.

For doctors, the campaign emphasizes the importance of responsible prescribing and communication, urging them to thoroughly explain to patients the correct way to take antibiotics and the reasons for their prescriptions.

Im Seungkwan, Commissioner of the KDCA, stressed, "Antimicrobial resistance is a shared challenge that the government, the medical community, and the public must address together with a sense of responsibility," adding, "We must move beyond just knowing and put these measures into practice for them to be effective."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.