Antibiotics are the most common treatment for bacterial infections. They don’t work for viral infections like colds, flu or COVID-19. Antibiotic resistant bacteria develop if you take antibiotics when you don’t need them. When these bacteria spread, it undermines modern medicine.
If you are over 65 years of age you are more likely to have an infection. You may have a weakened immune system or live in a care home in close contact with others who may be ill.
As well, you may visit health care settings like hospitals more often. Infections can spread easily in these settings. Antibiotics may also interact with other medications you are already taking.
Reducing and preventing the spread of infections in the first place decreases the need for antibiotics, and will help us all to stay healthier.
Download the brochure to learn more about how adults over 65 can be more Antibiotic Wise.
Download and use the poster to raise awareness about issues related to antibiotics in adults over 65.
Penicillin is one of the first antibiotics discovered, and has been used for nearly 80 years to treat common bacterial infections such as bronchitis and laryngitis. It is inexpensive and can treat skin, ear, sinus and upper respiratory tract infections.
Compared to other antibiotics, penicillin can be more effective and less likely to result in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It also has a lower risk of causing C. difficile infection, a severe and hard to treat diarrhea.
You may have had a reaction when taking penicillin in the past in the form of hives, itchiness, rashes or swelling. These are common side effects and do not necessarily indicate an allergy. Fewer than 5 in 10,000 people have a true penicillin allergy.
In fact, 80 per cent of adverse effects related to penicillin disappear over time. This means that you may be able to take penicillin safely again the next time you need it, even if you have had reactions to the antibiotic in the past.
Always share any past penicillin reactions with your health-care provider. They will let you know if you should try penicillin again or use another antibiotic. While your health-care provider may avoid prescribing you penicillin, they may also determine that it is safe to try again.
This is important as the alternatives to penicillin are often stronger antibiotics which may have a higher risk of side effects and should be saved for times when they are truly needed. If these alternative antibiotics are used too much, bacteria may develop resistance to these drugs, and they may not work in future.
Before asking to be prescribed a different antibiotic, talk to your health-care provider. They will be able to evaluate your allergy or refer you to an allergist.
Download the brochure to learn about penicillin allergy, and how to be Antibiotic Wise.
Download and use the poster to raise awareness about penicillin allergy.
Did you know that half of all penicillin allergies go away within 5 years? Learn more about why penicillin may still be the right choice even if you have been told you have an allergy.
Fact sheet for a new initiative from the BC Women’s Hospital testing penicillin allergies of pregnant women.
Millions of good bacteria live on our bodies to protect against infections caused by bad bacteria. Good bacteria also keep harmful bacteria from multiplying. Antibacterial cleaners, makeup and body products wash away the good and the bad. Antibacterial use makes bacteria more resistant to antibiotics.
Researchers have found little difference between using plain soap or antibacterial soap in a home or community setting and there is no added benefit of using antimicrobial soap in preventing infections. Similarly, antibacterial ingredients added to makeup, hygiene products, and surfaces of children’s toys have no added benefit to protect against the common cold or the flu. Moreover, some antimicrobial chemicals (such as Triclosan) are harmful to plants and animals when the chemicals are washed down the drain. Triclosan also kills good bacteria and can cause antibiotic resistance over time.
Plain soap or detergent and water (any temperature) are the only tools you need to get things clean. Most households don’t need antibacterial cleaning products.
There’s little difference between plain soap versus antibacterial soap when you’re at home. Antibacterial ingredients don’t protect you better from cold or flu. Handwashing with plain soap is extremely effective at reducing the spread of germs.
BC Centre for Disease Control’s tips and guidelines on safe food handling to reduce risk of contamination and food poisoning.
The Queen of Green has developed 9 easy cleaning recipes for everyday cleaning.
The David Suzuki Foundation have provided alternative non-toxic disinfecting solutions for at-home use.
Antibiotics treat bacterial infections. Colds, COVID-19 and the flu are viral infections, so antibiotics won’t help. Using antibiotics when you have these illnesses can lead to the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
The best way to recover from a cold or flu is to drink plenty of fluids, get rest, and give your body time to do its job.
If you experience any of these symptoms, stay home and contact your healthcare provider. You may just have a cold or the flu but stay home to keep others safe. Here is a link to the BC COVID-19 Self-assessment Tool.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include new or worsening:
COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild to severe. Sometimes people with COVID-19 have mild illness, but their symptoms may suddenly worsen in a few days.
Go to an urgent care clinic or emergency department if you:
Antibiotics treat bacterial infections and can be life-saving. But, antibiotics won’t kill viruses like cold and flu.
A poster suitable for doctor’s offices, community centres and other public locations. Open up and think twice about antibiotics.
Antibiotics don’t help most respiratory infections, and they can even be harmful. See ways you can help treat symptoms from colds and flu without unnecessary antibiotics.
Booklet with information on antibiotics, antibiotic resistance, and managing common illnesses.
Antibiotics are appropriate for some dental procedures. They are used to prevent or fight infections, but many toothaches and oral infections do not need antibiotics. Discuss options with your dentist. Always tell your dentist about any medical conditions or health changes.
Antibiotics are medicines for treating bacterial infections. They play a vital part in modern medicine and dentistry.
When taken incorrectly or overused, bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics. This means antibiotics may not work the next time you need them. When antibiotics for serious bacterial infections stop working, lives are lost.
Maintaining a healthy dental routine helps prevent oral infections that require antibiotics. Eat well, brush, floss and visit your dentist regularly. These are all important steps in preventing dental disease.
Sometimes you need antibiotics, but what if you don’t? When you use antibiotics too often or incorrectly, bacteria can develop resistance.
Antibiotics fight and prevent infection. They revolutionized modern dentistry. But there are other effective ways to prevent infection.
Learn more about the use of antibiotics in dental practice, and why they may not be needed for every condition.
A poster suitable for dental offices, community centres and other public locations. Open up and think twice about antibiotics.
Your Dental Health is a public education program of the BC Dental Association (BCDA) providing general dental information.
Did you know that half of all penicillin allergies go away within 5 years? Learn more about why penicillin may still be the right choice even if you have been told you have an allergy.
