Using antibiotics wisely

Antibiotics fight infections by killing bacteria or stopping their growth. They cannot treat conditions that are usually caused by viruses, such as:

• Colds and flu
• Bronchitis
• Many sinus and ear infections

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.

Here are ways you can help prevent antibiotic resistance.

• Before getting an antibiotic prescription, ask your provider if the antibiotic is really needed.
• Ask if a test has been done to make sure the right antibiotic is used.
• Ask if there are ways to relieve symptoms and clear the infection other than taking antibiotics.
• Ask what symptoms mean the infection may be getting worse.
• Don't ask for antibiotics for viral infections.
• Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed by your provider. It is important to complete the course of treatment.
• Never skip a dose. If you skip a dose by accident, ask your provider what you should do.
• Never start antibiotics without a prescription from your provider.
• Never save antibiotics. Dispose of any leftover antibiotics in the trash or as directed by your local rules. Do not flush them.
• Do not take antibiotics given to another person.

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

Wash your hands:

• Regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water
• Before and after preparing food and after using the toilet
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick
• After blowing one's nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching or handling pets, pet food, or animal waste
• After touching garbage

Prepare food:

• Wash fruits and vegetables carefully before consuming
• Clean kitchen counters and surfaces properly
• Handle meat and poultry products properly while storing and cooking

Keeping up with childhood and adult vaccinations can also help prevent infection and the need for antibiotics.

Antibiotic resistance - prevention; Drug-resistant bacteria - prevention

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.

Updated 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.