Antibiotics, also known as antimicrobial drugs, are drugs that fight infections caused by bacteria. After their discovery in the 1940's they transformed medical care and dramatically reduced illness and death from infectious diseases. However, over the decades the bacteria that antibiotics control have developed resistance to these drugs. Today, virtually all important bacterial infections in the United States and throughout the world are becoming resistant. For this reason, antibiotic resistance is among CDC's top concerns.
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Antibiotic resistance has been called one of the world's most pressing public health problems. |
Antibiotic resistance can cause significant danger and suffering for children and adults who have common infections, once easily treatable with antibiotics.
Antibiotic Resistance-
what it is and how it happens:
Antibiotic use promotes development of antibiotic-resistant
bacteria. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in some way
that reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of drugs, chemicals, or other
agents designed to cure or prevent infections. The bacteria survive and
continue to multiply causing more harm. Widespread use of antibiotics
promotes the spread of antibiotic resistance. While antibiotics should
be used to treat bacterial infections, they are not effective against
viral infections like the common cold, most sore throats, and the flu.
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Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses
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Smart use of antibiotics is the key to controlling the spread of resistance.
What does CDC recommend?
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Only use antibiotics when they are likely to be
beneficial.
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By visiting this website you are taking the first step to reducing your risk of getting antibiotic-resistant infections. It is important to understand that, although they are very useful drugs, antibiotics designed for bacterial infections are not useful for viral infections such as a cold, cough, or flu.
How can you prevent antibiotic-resistant infections?
- Talk with your health care provider about antibiotic resistance.
- Ask whether an antibiotic is likely to be beneficial for your illness.
- Ask what else you can do to feel better sooner.
- Do not take an antibiotic for a viral infection like a cold or the
flu.
- Do not save some of your antibiotic for the next time you get sick.
- Take an antibiotic exactly as the doctor tells you.
- Do not take an antibiotic that is prescribed for someone else.
Tackling Antibiotic Resistance:
Overuse of antibiotics is jeopardizing the usefulness of essential drugs.
Decreasing inappropriate antibiotic use is the best way to control resistance.
In 1995, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched
a national campaign to reduce antimicrobial resistance through promotion
of more appropriate antibiotic use.
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Recommendations for appropriate antibiotic use for health care providers:
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CDC's National Campaign:
CDC's National Campaign for Appropriate Antibiotic Use has two OBJECTIVES:
- Reduce inappropriate antibiotic use
- Reduce the spread of resistance to antibiotics
The campaign has four major areas of activity:
- Developing strategies and materials that will lead to changes in antibiotic use.
- Serving as a resource to groups undertaking their own campaigns.
- Forming partnerships to harness the resources of collaborating organizations.
- Assessing impact on antibiotic use, resistance, and patient/physician satisfaction.
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The information contained in these pages
is for educational / reference use only.
Sources:
CDC
