Do not abuse antibiotics – CentralMaine.com

This year, Antibiotic Awareness Week will be held November 12-18. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention would like to inform you of the importance of this topic and how you can protect yourself.

Antibiotic resistance is one of the most serious health threats in the world. Antibiotic resistance occurs when the bacteria change in response to an antibiotic drug and withstand the effects of the drug, causing its action to stop. Because of this, doctors are running out of options to treat certain infections.

The overuse of antibiotics is one of the main causes of antibiotic resistance. Patients who are already sick or have taken several antibiotic treatments have the highest risk of antibiotic resistance. People with weak immune systems, such as babies and the elderly, are also at higher risk. However, this can affect anyone at any age.

Without effective antibiotics, doctors may not be able to treat simple infections. Action must be taken to slow down antibiotic resistance.

You can take these steps to protect yourself:

• Talk to your doctor about when antibiotics will help or not.

• Ask questions about AR.

• Ask what infection an antibiotic is treating, how long it takes and what side effects might occur.

• Only take antibiotics when and exactly as prescribed.

• Do not store antibiotics for later and do not share them with others.

• Wash your hands.

• Stay up to date on your vaccinations.

• Cook food at the right temperature.

• Refrigerate food properly.

We all play a role in the fight to save these life-saving medicines. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/index.html.

Jennifer Liao

Coordinator of antibiotic resistance

Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Augusta

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