Will not help you or your child feel
better
• May cause unnecessary and harmful
side effects
• May contribute to antibiotic resistance,
which is when bacteria are able to resist
the effects of an antibiotic and continue
to cause harm
Rest, fluids, and over-the-counter prod-
ucts may be your or your child’s best treat-
ment options for symptoms associated with
viral infections. Remember, there are poten-
tial risks when taking any prescription drug.
Unneeded antibiotics may lead to harmful
side effects 1 and future antibiotic-resistant
infections 2 .
•
•
•
•
Soothe your throat with crushed ice,
sore throat spray, or lozenges. (Do not
give lozenges to young children.)
Use honey to relieve cough. (Do not
give honey to an infant under one year
of age.)
If you are diagnosed with the flu, there
are flu antiviral drugs 3 that can be used
to treat flu illness. They are prescription
drugs.
WHAT NOT TO DO
• Do not demand antibiotics when your
healthcare professional says they are
not needed.
• Do not take an antibiotic for a viral
infection.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
• Do not take antibiotics prescribed for
Just because your healthcare profes-
someone else. The antibiotic may not be
sional doesn’t give you an antibiotic doesn’t
right for your illness. Taking the wrong
mean you aren’t sick. Talk with your health-
medicine may delay correct treatment
care professional about the best treatment
and allow bacteria to grow.
for your or your child’s illness.
If your healthcare professional
To feel better when you or your child
prescribes an antibiotic for a bacterial infec-
has a viral infection:
tion:
• Ask your healthcare professional about • Do not skip doses.
over-the-counter treatment options that • Do not stop taking the antibiotics early
may help reduce symptoms.
unless your healthcare professional tells
• Drink more fluids.
you to do so.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Do not save any of the antibiotics for
• Use a cool-mist vaporizer or saline nasal
the next time you or your child gets
spray to relieve congestion.
sick.
https://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/week/downloads/antibiotics-arent-always-the-answer-for-parents.pdf
https://www.cdc.gov/features/antibioticresistance/
3
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/antivirals/whatyoushould.htm
For more info: https://www.cdc.gov/features/getsmart/index.html
1
2
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