What are antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria change to protect themselves from an antibiotic. They are then no longer sensitive to that antibiotic. When this happens, antibiotics that previously would have killed the bacteria, or stopped them from multiplying, no longer work.
Using antibiotics when you don’t need them may mean that they won’t work for you when you do need them in the future.If you have an antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection:
What causes antibiotic resistance?
Preventing antibiotic resistance
Many people think that antibiotics can cure the cold or a flu and helps shorten the illness. This is not true, because most of the infections are caused by viruses, so antibiotics won’t have any effect.
You can prevent antibiotic resistance by
Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria change to protect themselves from an antibiotic. They are then no longer sensitive to that antibiotic. When this happens, antibiotics that previously would have killed the bacteria, or stopped them from multiplying, no longer work.
Using antibiotics when you don’t need them may mean that they won’t work for you when you do need them in the future.If you have an antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection:
- you will have the infection for longer
- you may be more likely to have complications of the infection
- you could remain infectious for longer, and pass your infection to other people, which increases the problem.
What causes antibiotic resistance?
- Mostly by not taking it at the right time
- Not taking your antibiotic at the right dose and at the right time - this allows to make the bacteria to become resistance.
Preventing antibiotic resistance
Many people think that antibiotics can cure the cold or a flu and helps shorten the illness. This is not true, because most of the infections are caused by viruses, so antibiotics won’t have any effect.
You can prevent antibiotic resistance by
- Understanding you do not need to use antibiotics for the flu or a cold, because they are caused by a virus or a bacteria.
- If it is necessary you tell your doctor you only need an antibiotic
- Taking your right dose of antibiotics at the right time
- Taking your antibiotic until the doctor says to stop
- Take simple steps to avoid infections