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Taking antibiotics responsibly
It is tempting to stop taking an antibiotic as soon as you feel better. But you need to take the full treatment to kill the disease-causing bacteria. If you do not take an antibiotic as prescribed, you may need to start treatment again later. If you stop taking it, it can also promote the spread of antibiotic-resistant properties among harmful bacteria.
Effects of antibiotic resistance
For many years, the introduction of new antibiotics outpaced the development of antibiotic resistance. In recent years, however, the pace of drug resistance has led to a growing number of health care problems.
More than 2.8 million infections from antibiotic-resistant bacteria occur in the United States each year, resulting in 35,000 deaths.
Other results of drug-resistant infections include:
- More-serious illness
- Longer recovery
- More-frequent or longer hospital stays
- More health care provider visits
- More-expensive treatments
Antibiotic stewardship
The proper use of antibiotics — often called antibiotic stewardship — can help:
- Keep the effectiveness of current antibiotics
- Extend the life span of current antibiotics
- Protect people from antibiotic-resistant infections
- Avoid side effects from using antibiotics incorrectly
Many hospitals and medical associations have applied new guidelines to diagnose and treat infections. These guidelines have been made to ensure effective treatments are given for bacterial infections and to reduce incorrect use of antibiotics.
The public also plays a role in antibiotic stewardship. You can help reduce the development of antibiotic resistance if you:
- Avoid pressuring your health care provider to give you an antibiotic prescription. Ask your health care provider for advice on how to treat symptoms.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Clean any cuts or wounds to avoid bacterial infections that need antibiotic treatment.
- Get all recommended vaccines. Some vaccines protect against bacterial infections, such as diphtheria and whooping cough (pertussis). Check to see if you need any vaccines before travel, too.
- Lower your risk of getting a bacterial infection spread by food. Do not drink raw milk. Wash your hands before making food and before eating. Cook foods to a safe internal temperature.
- Use antibiotics only as prescribed by your health care provider. Take the prescribed daily amount. Complete the entire treatment. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects.
- Never take leftover antibiotics for a later illness. They may not be the correct antibiotic. And they likely do not include a full treatment course.
- Never take antibiotics prescribed for another person or let anyone else take your antibiotics.
