Using antibiotics wisely


Definition

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.

Alternative Names

Antibiotic resistance - prevention; Drug-resistant bacteria - prevention

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:

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

Other Ways to Stop Antibiotic Resistance

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

Wash your hands:

Prepare food:

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 antimicrobial resistance. www.cdc.gov/antimicrobial-resistance/about/. Updated April 22, 2024. Accessed June 17, 2024.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance facts. www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/. Accessed July 22, 2024.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Antimicrobial resistance: causes and how it spreads. www.cdc.gov/antimicrobial-resistance/causes/index.html. Updated April 22, 2024. Accessed June 17, 2024.

Federal Bureau of Prisons Clinical Guidance. Antimicrobial stewardship. www.bop.gov/resources/pdfs/antimstewardship2019.pdf. Updated July 2019. Accessed June 17, 2024.

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.


Review Date: 5/23/2024
Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, 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.
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