Antibiotic Smart Use Guideline Pdf Download
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How to Use Antibiotics Smartly and Safely: A Guide for Patients
Antibiotics are powerful medicines that can treat infections caused by bacteria. However, antibiotics are not always the answer. Using antibiotics when they are not needed can cause side effects and contribute to antibiotic resistance, a serious public health threat.
This guide will help you understand when antibiotics are appropriate, how to use them correctly, and where to find reliable resources for more information.
When do you need antibiotics
Antibiotics only work against infections caused by bacteria. They do not work against infections caused by viruses, such as colds, flu, bronchitis, most sore throats, most ear infections, and most sinus infections.
Some common bacterial infections that may require antibiotics include:
Urinary tract infections
Pneumonia
Strep throat
Skin infections
Meningitis
Tuberculosis
Your healthcare provider can determine if you have a bacterial infection and prescribe the right antibiotic for you. Do not ask for antibiotics if your provider thinks you do not need them. Do not use leftover antibiotics or take antibiotics prescribed for someone else.
How to use antibiotics correctly
If you are prescribed antibiotics, follow these tips to use them smartly and safely:
Take them exactly as directed. Do not skip doses or stop taking them early, even if you feel better.
Do not share them with others or save them for later.
Avoid alcohol and grapefruit juice while taking antibiotics, as they may interfere with their effectiveness or cause side effects.
Tell your provider about any allergies or adverse reactions you have had to antibiotics in the past.
Report any side effects to your provider. Some common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, rash, yeast infections, and allergic reactions.
Take probiotics or eat yogurt with live cultures to help restore the good bacteria in your gut that may be killed by antibiotics.
Where to find more information
For more information about antibiotic use and resistance, visit these websites:
CDC Antibiotic Use: This website provides patient education materials, guidelines, and resources on antibiotic use and resistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Stanford Antimicrobial Guidebook: This website provides dosing guides, protocols, and recommendations on antimicrobial use from Stanford Medicine.
Print Materials Antibiotic Use CDC: This website provides printable handouts, posters, infographics, and stickers on antibiotic use from CDC[^1^]. You can download them as PDF files for free. aa16f39245