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Be Antibiotics Aware

December 5, 2023, 3:23 pm

“Be Antibiotics Aware” is a national movement started by the CDC to spread awareness about the overuse of antibiotic prescriptions and to help fight antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic resistance happens when germs or bacteria get “used to” the antibiotics that are designed to kill them. This in turn causes the antibiotics to become less effective at fighting off bacteria and treating an infection.

Antibiotics have been commonly prescribed in the past even when they were not necessary to treat an illness. This wide use of antibiotics has led to more cases of antibiotic-resistant infections that are very difficult to treat. Avoiding antibiotics when they are not needed can help fight antibiotic resistance.

According to the CDC, antibiotics are typically recommended for and can treat the following illnesses caused by bacteria:

  • Strep throat
  • Whooping cough
  • Some ear infections
  • Some sinus infections

Antibiotics are typically not useful for and cannot treat the following illness caused by viruses:

  • Common cold
  • Runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • COVID-19
  • Flu

Visit this page for information about common illnesses, whether antibiotics will help with treatment, and recommended actions.

Learn more about the Be Antibiotics Aware effort and find out more ways to do your part in fighting antibiotic resistance.

 

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/sp/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/pdfs/VirusOrBacteria-Original-P.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/q-a.html