HEALTH & WELLNESS
IN CASE YOU DIDN’T KNOW
Antibiotic Resistance
Center for Disease Control
Health Report
A
ntibiotic use is the leading cause of
antibiotic resistance. Up to one-
third to one-half of antibiotic use
in humans is either unnecessary
or inappropriate. Each year in the United
States, 47 million unnecessary antibiotic
prescriptions are written in doctor’s offices,
emergency rooms, and hospital-based clin-
ics, which makes improving antibiotic pre-
scribing and use a national priority.
To combat antibiotic resistance and
avoid adverse drug reactions, we must use
antibiotics appropriately. This means using
antibiotics only when needed and, if needed,
24 HimPower August 2017
using them correctly.
Antibiotics do not fight infections
caused by viruses like colds, flu, most sore
throats, and bronchitis. Even many sinus
and ear infections can get better without
antibiotics. Instead, symptom relief might
be the best treatment option for these infec-
tions.
Taking antibiotics for viral infections,
such as colds, flu, most sore throats, and
bronchitis:
• Will not cure the infection
• Will not keep other people from getting
sick