Get Smart about Antibiotics

Pella Regional Health Center is once again observing the Center for Disease Control’s Get Smart about Antibiotics Week, November 14-20, 2011.

Antibiotic resistance is one of the world’s more pressing public health threats. Antibiotics are the most important tool to combat life-threatening bacterial diseases. If antibiotics are used inappropriately, they may not work when patients really need them and lead to longer-lasting illnesses, more doctor visits or longer hospital stays and even more expensive and toxic medications. Some resistant infections can even cause death.

If you have a cold or other respiratory viruses, antibiotics won’t cure you, keep others from catching the illness, or help you feel better faster. Most sore throats, runny noses and colds are caused by viruses, not bacteria, so antibiotics are not effective.

Just because your doctor does not give you an antibiotic doesn’t mean you are not sick. Increase fluid intake and get plenty of rest. Ask the doctor or pharmacist about options such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and aches, a cool-mist vaporizer or saline nasal spray to relieve congestion and soothe a sore throat with ice chips, sore throat spray or lozenges. Do not give lozenges to young children or cough medicine to children under the age of two years.

When antibiotics are given for bacterial infections, it is important to take the medication exactly as prescribed. Do not skip doses. Do not stop taking the medication when you begin to feel better. Do not use the medication to treat others who have similar symptoms.

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