Is an ANTIBIOTIC right for you?
Misuse and abuse of antibiotics is causing the drugs to be ineffective. Here are details on when you need them and when you don’t.
Background Info
Antibiotics are important medications that work to treat illnesses caused by bacteria, but they are often misused and over-prescribed. Misuse of antibiotics has been linked to harmful consequences, including the rise of antibiotic-resistant infections.
Sources
| Source | URL |
|---|---|
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Get Smart Common Illnesses | http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/index.html |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Virus or Bacteria, What’s Got You Sick? | http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/community/materials-references/print-materials/everyone/virus-bacteria-chart.pdf |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work | http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/community/materials-references/print-materials/adults/b-general-color.pdf |
| Alliance for Prudent Use of Antibiotics | http://emerald.tufts.edu/med/apua/about_issue/when_how.shtml |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Antibiotic Safety and Adverse Events | http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/protecting_yourself_family.html |
| Colgan, R. & Powers, J (2001). Appropriate antimicrobial prescribing: approaches that limit antibiotic resistance. American Family Physician, 64(6). | http://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0915/p999.html |
| Mayo Clinic: Antibiotics - Misuse Puts You and Others at Risk | http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/antibiotics/art-20045720 |
| New York State Department of Health - Antibiotic-Resistant Infections | http://on.ny.gov/1lA7tnR |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Measuring Antibiotic Prescribing | http://www.forbes.com/pictures/ehmk45mljm/2-honda-civic/ |
| United States Census Bureau | http://www.census.gov/quickfacts/ |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Unnecessary Prescriptions | http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/community/programs-measurement/measuring-antibiotic-prescribing.html |
| New York State of Health - Viral Prescription | http://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/protocols_and_guidelines/antibiotic_resistance/introcon.htm |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Protecting Yourself and Your Family | http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/protecting_yourself_family.html |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Drug Resistance | http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/index.html |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Antibiotic-Resistant Threats | http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/pdf/ar-threats-2013-508.pdf |
| Choosing Wisely - Antibiotics: When You Need Them and When You Don’t | http://www.choosingwisely.org/patient-resources/antibiotics/ |
| Choosing Wisely - Five Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before You Take Antibiotics | http://consumerhealthchoices.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/ChoosingWiselyAntibioticsPosterSmall.pdf |