How to Prevent Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotics are medicines used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Antibiotic resistance means the medicine no longer works against the bacteria. Resistance can develop if you use antibiotics the wrong way.

There are several steps you can take to help prevent resistance. Taking these steps has the following benefits:

• It can help you stay healthy. Infections caused by resistant bacteria can be dangerous and even life-threatening for some people.
• It can keep you from missing work or school.
• It can prevent costly visits to the doctor’s office or pharmacy.

What causes antibiotic resistance?

Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria come into contact with an antibiotic over and over again. Over time, the bacteria become resistant to the antibiotic.

How can I help prevent antibiotic resistance?

To help prevent antibiotic resistance:

• Work closely with your health care provider.
• Stay up to date on vaccinations. Many vaccines prevent illnesses that are treated with antibiotics.
• Understand when antibiotics are needed and when they are not needed.
• Do not ask for an antibiotic prescription if you have been diagnosed with a viral illness. That will not make your illness go away faster. Common viral illnesses are an ear infection, a sinus infection, the stomach flu, or bronchitis.
• Do not take antibiotics left over from a previous prescription.
• Do not take antibiotics prescribed for someone else.
• If you are prescribed an antibiotic:
  • Take it exactly as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the medicine even if you start to feel better.
  • If you have been taking it for more than 10 days, ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you should keep taking it.
• Do not save unused antibiotics to use at a later date. Get rid of unused medicine as told by your health care provider or pharmacist.

How do I lower my risk of infection?

You can get an antibiotic-resistant infection even if you:

• Take steps to prevent antibiotic resistance.
• Have not recently been exposed to antibiotics.

To reduce your risk of infection:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. This is especially important if you are in a public place. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Prepare food safely. Make sure to:
  • Wash fruits and vegetables before you eat them.
  • Keep raw meat, dairy products, and leftovers in the refrigerator.
  • Keep raw meat and eggs from touching other foods.
  • Disinfect all food preparation surfaces and utensils after use.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid being around people who you know are sick.

Where can I get more information?

To learn more about antibiotic resistance, visit the Centers for Disease Control Prevention web site at http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/community/.

Summary

• Antibiotic resistance can cause serious illness.
• Only take antibiotics when they are prescribed for you by your health care provider.
• Do not take antibiotics for a viral illness. That will not make your illness go away faster. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed can lead to antibiotic resistance.