Antibiotics are often prescribed and used unnecessarily. This makes the problem of antibiotic resistance worse. To help combat antibiotic resistance, everyone needs to use antibiotics wisely. Talk with your physician or nurse practitioner to find out if antibiotics are the right drug for your illness.
Please visit this link to find out which common illnesses are treated with antibiotics, and which are not:
http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/community/about/should-know.html
What Can You Do To Prevent Illness?
- Wash your hands regularly
- Make sure you and your family members’ vaccinations are up-to-date
What Can You Do When You are Sick?
- Only use antibiotics that are prescribed to you by a physician or nurse practitioner
- Take antibiotics as prescribed
- Take the full course of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better
- Talk with your physician, nurse practitioner, or pharmacist about the risks of antibiotics
- Don’t use leftover antibiotics
What Can You Do To Protect Others?
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Don’t share antibiotics with friends or family members
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Properly dispose of leftover antibiotics
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