Antibiotic Resistance and Proper Use of Antibiotics

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Pharmacy

How can I help? DO NOT demand for antibiotics to treat colds, flu or other viral infections. Instead, ask your doctor or pharmacist on how to relieve your symptoms.

DO NOT save antibiotics for future use without the doctor’s instructions. DO NOT take antibiotics that are prescribed for others as they may not be appropriate for your illness.

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DO take your antibiotics as directed and FINISH the WHOLE course, even if you feel better. Stop taking the antibiotics only if you experience an allergic reaction (e.g. skin rashes, itching, wheezing, puffy eyes). See your doctor immediately if this happens.

Antibiotic Resistance and Proper Use of Antibiotics


DISCOVER WHAT IS ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE AND HOW YOU CAN HELP PREVENT IT. WHAT CAUSES

INFECTIONS? Infections are caused by ‘germs’ present in your body. These ‘germs’ may be bacteria or viruses. Antibiotics are only able to kill bacteria but not the viruses. Since different bacteria are killed by different antibiotics, the appropriate use of antibiotics is important to ensure effective treatment of bacterial infections.

Discover what is antibiotic resistance and how you can help prevent it. Bacteria can sometimes find a way to fight the antibiotics that you are taking. This can happen when antibiotics are not used properly. For example, when antibiotics are used to treat colds and flu which are caused by viruses or when the full course of antibiotics is not finished as instructed and the antibiotic level in your body is too low to kill the bacteria completely. These situations allow bacteria to change and become resistant to the antibiotics used. These resistant bacteria are able to pass the resistance to other bacteria, multiply and spread resistance far and wide.

DO take your antibiotics as directed and FINISH the WHOLE course, even if you feel better.

Why should I be concerned? When bacterial resistance develops, bacterial infections which can be cured easily at first become harder to treat. As a result, you may have to make return visits to your doctor and remain sick for longer period of time. There is also a chance that you will spread the resistant bacteria to friends and family members. Stronger and more expensive antibiotics may be needed to cure the infection. Antibiotics to treat these resistant bacteria may run out, with increased usage of the medication.


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