Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week

Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week is held globally each year to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance and promote the responsible use of antimicrobials.

Antimicrobial resistance has been identified as one of the greatest threats to human health today.

The prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens is rising worldwide. Patients with infections due to resistant bacteria experience delayed recovery and treatment failure and are more likely to die than patients with infections from non-resistant bacteria.

World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week takes place between the 18th to the 24th November.

Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 2023

Test your knowledge 

Consumers 

Test your knowledge on antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance by taking this quiz.

Health Professionals 

Pharmacists, test your knowledge with this quiz on antimicrobial use.

Health professionals, test your knowledge about priority fungal pathogens!

Colouring in and poster competitions

This year we are highlighted the differences between bacteria and viruses. Antibiotics do not treat viral infections. Misuse of antibiotics for colds and flus causes antimicrobial resistance. Disposing antimicrobials correctly is important to protect the environment.

Colouring in competition (4 to 7 years of age)

Poster competition (8 to 11 years of age)

Terms and conditions

To assist teachers with learning activities and to provide further information we have created lesson plans for Primary School year levels Reception to Year 6. The lesson plans contain activities relevant to age and cover hand hygiene, differences between bacteria and viruses as well as antimicrobial use and resistance and link to the Australian Curriculum learning outcomes.

Highlights from Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2022

Test your knowledge 

Consumers 

Test your knowledge on antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance by taking this quiz.

Health Professionals 

Pharmacists, test your knowledge with this quiz on antimicrobial use.

Health professionals, test your knowledge about priority fungal pathogens!

Colouring in and poster competitions

2022 poster and colouring in  winners and finalists announced!

Highlights from Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2021

Our theme for Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2021 incorporated the One Health approach which recognises that the health of humans is closely related to the health of animals and our environment.

2021 poster and colouring in competition finalists announced!

Antimicrobials underpin modern healthcare and cannot be taken for granted; we need to work together to ensure they are used appropriately across all sectors  human and animal health, and the environment.

Test your knowledge

Test your knowledge on antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance by taking this quiz!

Additional resources

Looking for children's books to read? Libraries SA have created a of books which are available to borrow in public libraries across SA. The list contains books about 'good germs' (microbiome), antimicrobial use and resistance

Highlights from Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2020

The theme for Antimicrobial Awareness Week in 2020 was 'United to preserve antimicrobials', aiming to engage stakeholders from all sectors in a One Health approach to antimicrobial resistance. The overarching slogan this year was "Antimicrobials: Handle with care"

Further information

For further information on Antimicrobial Awareness Week activities in South Australia, email HealthAntibio@sa.gov.au.