SOUTH West health chiefs have warned of a “post-antibiotic apocalypse”.

It comes as government doctors say that across England, 5,000 deaths are caused every year because antibiotics no longer work against infections.

The life-saving antibiotic drugs are used to treat the most serious bacterial infections, like meningitis and pneumonia.

But doctors are concerned that prescribing antibiotics for minor ailments like earache has resulted in harmful bacteria developing a resistance to the vital drugs. Now, they are warning of a future “post-antibiotic apocalypse”.

Health bosses have urged patients to not to store up antibiotics for later use or to share them with others.

Instead, they want people to heed their doctor, nurse or pharmacist’s advice for when they do or don’t need antibiotics.

Dr Chitra Arumugam, consultant for Public Health England in the South West, said: “We need antibiotics to treat serious bacterial infections, such as meningitis, pneumonia and sepsis and not for minor coughs and sore throats as we know they get better by themselves.

“We can all do our bit to avoid taking antibiotics unnecessarily for minor ailments and therefore avoid antibiotic resistance.”

A new report from Public Health England, published today, warns that in 30 years antibiotic resistance will kill more people than cancer and diabetes combined.

The government’s chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies added: “Without effective antibiotics, minor infections could become deadly and many medical advances could be at risk; surgery, chemotherapy and caesareans could become simply too dangerous.

“But reducing inappropriate use of antibiotics can help us stay ahead of superbugs.

“The public has a critical role to play and can help by taking collective action.”

Swindon Clinical Commission Group’s Paul Clarke warned that bacteria could be “very cunning”, calling antibiotic resistance “one of the most significant threats to patients and modern medicine”.

He said: “Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections like the common cold and flu. These illnesses will usually disappear within a week or so with the help of paracetamol, cold and flu remedies, decongestants, fluids and plenty of rest.

“We want to remind people they can seek advice from their local pharmacist about remedies for colds and flu.”