Antibiotics are NOT used to treat colds or flu as these are viral infections and antibiotics do not work against viral infections. Antibiotics fight infections caused by bacteria.

80 percent of common infections are spread by hands. Handwashing with regular soap and water is the best way to stop the spread of infections. Plain soap will remove the dirt and grease that attract bad bacteria and viruses without promoting antibiotic resistance in the bacteria that normally live on our hands or in our environment. Using antibacterial products unnecessarily increases the concentration of antibiotics in the water supply and in the environment and may contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Different antibiotics are prescribed for different types of infections. Your healthcare provider is trained to recognize which infections require antibiotic treatment, and in some instances, able to order tests to determine which antibiotic will work best for your specific infection.

Never share prescription medicine: the healthcare provider has chosen the medication and dose specifically for the patient. Note: If the same infection develops within a family or workplace, this often indicates a viral infection.

Antibiotics are used to fight infections caused by bacteria, but not used for infections caused by viruses (such as cold and flu). Antibiotics do not help to fight colds. As the body starts fighting the virus, white blood cells attack and kill viruses. The dead virus cells in the mucus become darker and greener. As long as fever and other symptoms are improving, this is the natural course of an infection due to a virus.

Ear infections can be caused by viruses or bacteria. Even bacterial infections do not always need antibiotics. Many infections, like children’s ear infections, usually go away on their own.

Antibiotics can have side effects such as upset or sore stomach and loose stools. Upset or sore stomach and loose stools are common complaints and do not mean you are allergic to that antibiotic. If symptoms persist after finishing the antibiotics, or if you develop a rash or severe diarrhea, see your doctor right away.

Bacteria in the urine, in the absence of signs and symptoms of infection, is referred to as asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB), and does NOT indicate an infection requiring antibiotics. ASB is very common in the elderly, patients residing in long term care facilities, patients with long term catheters and patients with abnormal urinary tracts.

Most simple tooth extractions do not require antibiotics. Removing the tooth is usually enough to reduce pain and clear the infection.