World Antibiotic Awareness Week (November 12-18) aims to increase global awareness of antibiotic resistance (AMR) and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers and policymakers to avoid the further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.

The misuse of antibiotic is putting us all at risk. Since their discovery, antibiotics have served as the cornerstone of modern medicine. However, the persistent overuse and misuse of antibiotics in human and animal health have encouraged the emergence and spread of AMR, which occurs when microbes, such as bacteria, become resistant to the drugs used to treat them.

According to WHO, the 2018 World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW) campaign seeks to provide greater flexibility to regions and countries to reflect their unique priorities, target specific levels of awareness and their specific audiences. Our approach is to anchor WAAW 2018 in the Global Action Plan on AMR with five "focus” days of tailored social media messaging around each of the Objectives.

WHO has developed a range of materials for WAAW in all UN languages. Posters, banners and infographics will be available, as well as media resources, which can be accompanied by tailored social media messages for each day of WAAW 2018.

The five days of World Antibiotic Awareness Week features tailored multiday messaging that corresponds to each of the five strategic objectives of the GAP – awareness, global AMR surveillance, infection prevention and control, optimal antimicrobial use and investment and R&D.

Countries and regions can participate in the WAAW campaign throughout the week, and especially on days when the messages and objectives correspond with specific country priorities. During WAAW 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners will reach the general public, governments, health care professionals, farmers, veterinarians, and a range of other stakeholders through interactive games, infographics, posters and social media assets to raise awareness of the need to act on antimicrobial resistance.

This document provides an introduction to the abundance of multiday messages and material for each day of WAAW and provides guidance on ways to promote and participate in 2018 World Antibiotic Awareness Week.