Antibiotics Save Lives, and We Need Your Help

The Effort Continues: What Are You Doing to Improve Prescribing and Use?

This week, U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week, people united in raising awareness around antibiotic prescribing and use. The annual observance is coming to an end, but CDC’s work will not stop, and we need your help to keep the momentum going!

It is important that everyone know:

✔	Antibiotics save lives and are critical tools for treating infections, like those that can lead to sepsis.
✔	Antibiotics do not work on viruses, such as those that cause colds, flu, bronchitis, or runny noses.
✔	When antibiotics aren’t needed, they won’t help, and the side effects could still cause harm.
✔	Talk with your doctor if you do develop side effects, especially severe diarrhea.
✔	Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed. Talk with a doctor if you have questions.
✔	The same is true for animals. Give antibiotics exactly as prescribed and talk with your veterinarian if you have questions.
✔	Do your best to stay healthy and keep others healthy by cleaning hands, covering coughs, staying home when sick, preparing food safely, and getting recommended vaccines, such as the flu vaccine.

Did you miss it? Check out CDC’s new stories and data released this week:

• Antimicrobial stewardship in Veterans Health Administration
• Patients should never be stuck in the middle
• After beating cancer, our daughter died from a superbug
• Effective antibiotic stewardship in urgent care is achievable
• Teaming up across the Atlantic to improve antimicrobial use
• New Core Elements help improve antibiotic use in resource-limited settings
• Advances in optimizing antibiotic prescription in outpatient settings (British Medical Journal)

CDC is dedicated to improving the way we prescribe and take antibiotics to help keep everyone healthy and fight antibiotic resistance while also ensuring that these lifesaving antibiotics will be available when needed now and for future generations. Thank you for participating in this important week. Together, we can make a difference.

Antibiotics do not work on viruses, such as those that cause colds or flu. When abx aren’t needed, they won’t help you, and the side effects could still cause harm. Ask your doctor about the best way to treat your illness. http://bit.ly/2Ql0EqK #USAAW18 #AntibioticResistance