Did you know that they are part of Antimicrobial Resistance? Are you clear that we can all do something to avoid them? Marcelo Barbato, intensive care physician and Director of the ICU at Hospital Maciel, the first public hospital in Uruguay with a long history in infection control, tells us.

Washing hands is the best way to prevent the spread of germs and diseases. Dirty hands can carry pathogenic germs that can sicken a person or spread diseases to others. Microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and various chemicals can enter our bodies directly when we touch our fa ... ce, eyes, nose or mouth or may enter indirectly, when our dirty hands stain surfaces touched by others or where food is prepared. The habit of washing hands with soap and water constitutes the first line of defense against the spread of many diseases, from the common cold or diarrhea to more serious illnesses such as meningitis, influenza or hepatitis as well as many other diseases. This 2-D animation describes the importance of hand washing. Available in different languages: Francais; Espagnol; Portuguese.... more

You Tube Video Accessed February 4, 2020

This video explains what antibiotics and the microbiome are, how they work, and side effects that patients may experience. It also provides helpful questions for patients and their families to ask their health care providers when they have been prescribed antibiotics.

How does antibiotic resistance spread? Antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria to combat the action of one or more antibiotics. Humans and animals do not become resistant to antibiotic treatments, but bacteria carried by humans and animals can.