The U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week is upon us. This annual one-week observance helps raise awareness of the importance of antibiotic use.
Here are the top tips to consider when requesting antibiotics at Emergency One.
1. Antibiotics do not work on viruses. Colds and flu are caused by viruses and antibiotics will not “cure” your cold.
2. Antibiotics can save lives. When a patient needs antibiotics, the benefits outweigh the risks of the side effects and antibiotic resistance.
3. When antibiotics aren’t needed, they won’t help you. Side effects can cause harm and range from minor to severe.
4. Unnecessary use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance occurs when germs like bacteria and fungi develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them.
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Photo source: CDC
