Cases of MRSA and C.difficile see sharp drop
There has been a sharp drop in the number of cases of two different hospital-associated infections.
New figures show that infection levels of MRSA are down 62% in the past eight years, while cases of C.difficile are down 14% in six years.
The Government is set to announce a new initiative to tackle antibiotic resistance today.
Today is European Antibiotic Awareness Day - which hopes to encourage safer use of the drugs.
Clinical Lead for the HSE Healthcare Associated Health Programme Robert Cunny said that for many infections, patients did not need antibiotics.
"Antibiotics don't work for colds, flu or for most sore throats ad ear infections, and in fact can also be harmful" he said.
He also advised people to look at new website undertheweather.ie for practical advice on how to manage minor illnesses at home.
