Site Map

Using antibiotics wisely

Antibiotic resistance - prevention; Drug-resistant bacteria - prevention

Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem. This occurs when bacteria no longer respond to the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics no longer work against the bacteria. Resistant bacteria continue to grow and multiply, making infections more difficult to treat.

Using antibiotics wisely will help keep their usefulness in treating diseases.

I Would Like to Learn About:

How Antibiotics Work

Antibiotics fight infections by killing bacteria or stopping their growth. They cannot treat conditions that are usually caused by viruses, such as:

• Colds and flu
• Bronchitis
• Many sinus and ear infections

Before prescribing antibiotics, your health care provider may do tests to check for bacteria. These tests can help the provider use the right antibiotic.

Antibiotic resistance can occur when antibiotics are misused or overused.

Use Antibiotics Properly

Here are ways you can help prevent antibiotic resistance.

• Before getting a prescription, ask your provider if the antibiotics are really needed.
• Ask if a test has been done to make sure the right antibiotic is used.
• Ask what side effects you may experience.
• Ask if there are other ways to relieve symptoms and clear the infection other than taking antibiotics.
• Ask what symptoms mean the infection may be getting worse.
• Don't ask for antibiotics for viral infections.
• Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed by your health care provider. It is important to complete the course of treatment.
• Never skip a dose. If you skip a dose by accident, ask your provider what you should do.
• Never start antibiotics without a doctor's prescription.
• Never save antibiotics. Dispose of any leftover antibiotics. Do not flush them.
• Do not take antibiotics given to another person.

Other Ways to Stop Antibiotic Resistance

Follow these steps to help prevent and stop the spread of antibiotic-resistant infections.

Wash your hands:

• Regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water
• Before and after preparing food and after using the toilet
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick
• After blowing one's nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching or handling pets, pet food, or animal waste
• After touching garbage

Prepare food:

• Wash fruits and vegetables carefully before consuming
• Clean kitchen counters and surfaces properly
• Handle meat and poultry products properly while storing and cooking

Keeping up with childhood and adult vaccinations can also help prevent infection and the need for antibiotics.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. About antibiotic resistance. www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/about.html. Updated December 13, 2021. Accessed September 6, 2022.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. How antibiotic resistance happens. www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/about/how-resistance-happens.html. Updated November 9, 2021. Accessed September 6, 2022.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Antibiotic prescribing and use in doctor's offices: common illnesses. www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/index.html. Updated October 7, 2021. Accessed September 6, 2022.

Federal Bureau of Prisons Clinical Practice Guidelines. Antimicrobial stewardship guidance. www.bop.gov/resources/pdfs/antimicrobial_stewardship.pdf. Updated March 2013. Accessed August 7, 2020.

Opal SM, Pop-Vicas A. Molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 18.

BACK TO TOP

Review Date: 4/9/2022  

Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Health Content Provider 06/01/2025

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complied with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information from 1995 to 2022, after which HON (Health On the Net, a not-for-profit organization that promoted transparent and reliable health information online) was discontinued.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2024 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.