'Do you have a cold or flu? Don't waste your energy on antibiotics! They don't work on viruses!'

As we approach winter and viral illnesses such as cold and flu are on the rise again, medicines are supposed to be our best protection. Antibiotics, however, do not work on viruses. Worse still, the inappropriate use of antibiotics on humans and animals is causing multiresistant bacteria to develop.

To mark the World Health Organization's (WHO) World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week, which takes place from 18 to 24 November, Minister of Health Paulette Lenert and Minister of Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural Development, Romain Schneider, are launching a digital information campaign to encourage rational human and veterinary use of antibiotics. This annual campaign is based around the following central message: Do you have a cold or flu? Don't waste your energy on antibiotics! They don't work on viruses! The campaign forms part of the 2018-2022 National Antibiotics Plan, which aims to reduce the emergence, development and spread of antibiotic resistance in Luxembourg, and to promote a prudent approach towards using antibiotics.

The awareness campaign will be shared widely on social media from 18 November.