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People across the UK are being urged to take a number of precautionary steps in the face of 'evolving' bacteria. A few decades ago, it may have been a common sight for people to be prescribed antibiotics for a wide variety of health problems and infections.

However, you may notice that some doctors are far more cautious about prescribing antibiotics, which is due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. According to data from the UK Health Security Agency, nearly 400 new cases of antibiotic-resistant infections were recorded each week in England.

The key danger of so-called 'superbugs' is that they can be harder to treat due to their resistance to traditional antibiotics. Infections from such antibiotic-resistant bacteria can lead to further complications because of, including pneumonia and blood infections.

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Writing on X, the UKHSA said: "Bacteria are evolving against antibiotics, with nearly 400 new resistant infections appearing each week in England." Guidance from the NHS has highlighted that some particular strains of bacteria have already been recorded to have developed a resistance to antibiotics due to overuse.

This includes MRSA, Clostridium difficile, and the bacteria responsible for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. One of the biggest concerns is that this trend of superbugs could lead to the emergence of new strains of bacteria that are not treatable with any existing antibiotics.

UKHSA guidance highlights that people can help fight against superdrugs by taking a number of precautionary steps in their everyday lives.

This includes:

• Returning any antibiotics that haven't been taken so they can be disposed of safely and lower the risk of resistant bacteria developing in the environment
• Practising safe sex, especially to help prevent the spread of some STIs such as gonorrhoea, which is becoming increasingly antibiotic-resistant
• Keeping up to date with your vaccinations, which can help prevent infections
• Speaking with a health professional before taking antibiotics, as they may not be needed
• Properly washing your hands and staying at home when you're feeling unwell

Similarly, the World Health Organisation(WHO) warns that antibiotic-resistant bacteria could cause complications for a wide array of medical procedures, including surgery, chemotherapy for cancer, and caesarean sections. It highlights that as being a potential cause of disability and death, antibiotic-resistant infections could also pose an 'antibiotics pipeline and access' crisis. due to the rising levels of resistance.

Full guidance on what you can do to help tackle the threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be found on the UKHSA website here.