Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to health around the world

What Is Antibiotic Resistance?

Antibiotics are medicines used to treat bacterial infections. When harmful germs (bacteria) get into your body and make you sick, it is called a bacterial infection. Antibiotic resistance is the term used for bacteria’s ability to resist treatment from antibiotics. A few resistant bacteria are not completely killed by antibiotics and continue to grow. This makes some bacterial infections difficult to treat.

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?

• Don’t share antibiotics with friends or family members
• Properly dispose of leftover antibiotics

Antibiotic Resistance