Antibiotic Do's and Don'ts

Antibiotics can save lives, but they are not always the answer. Using them only when needed gets you the right treatment, spares you side effects from antibiotics you did not need, and helps slow antimicrobial resistance.

What antibiotics treat, and what they do not

Antibiotics treat only certain infections caused by bacteria, such as strep throat, whooping cough and urinary tract infections. Even some bacterial infections get better without them, including many sinus infections and some ear infections.

Antibiotics do not work on viruses, which are different germs from bacteria. They will not treat:

• colds and runny noses, even when the mucus is thick, yellow or green;
• most sore throats (strep throat is the exception);
• flu; or
• most chest colds (bronchitis).

If you have a virus, an antibiotic will not make you feel better, and its side effects can still harm you. Ask a health care professional about the best treatment and for tips on feeling better while your body fights the infection — and never pressure one to prescribe an antibiotic.

If you do need antibiotics

• Take them exactly as prescribed.
• Do not share them.
• Do not save them for later: the wrong medicine for a future illness can delay the right treatment and cause severe side effects.
• Do not take antibiotics prescribed for someone else, which can delay the best treatment, make you sicker or cause side effects.

Ask a health care professional if you have questions about your antibiotics.

Getting rid of leftover medicine

Expired or unused medicines can go to a drug take-back program, often found at community pharmacies. Otherwise, seal them in a plastic bag with dirt, kitty litter or used coffee grounds and put them in the household trash. A pharmacist can advise on safe disposal.

Side effects

When a health care professional decides you need antibiotics, the benefits usually outweigh the risks of side effects and resistance. Common side effects range from minor to very severe and include rash, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea and yeast infections. More serious ones include:

• C. diff infection, which causes diarrhea that can lead to severe colon damage and death;
• severe, life-threatening allergic reactions; and
• infections resistant to antimicrobials.

In children, side effects from antibiotics are the most common cause of emergency department visits related to medicines. Call a health care professional if you or your child develop side effects while taking an antibiotic.

Staying healthy

• Clean your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or with a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Keep unwashed hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who have colds or other upper respiratory infections.
• Get recommended vaccines, such as the flu vaccine.

Sources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Healthy Habits: Antibiotic Do's and Don'ts": https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/about/index.html