Antibiotic Resistance Summary Antibiotics are medicines that fight bacterial infections. Used properly, they can save lives. But there is a growing problem of antibiotic resistance. It happens when bacteria change and become able to resist the effects of an antibiotic. Using antibiotics can lead to resistance. Each time you take antibiotics, sensitive bacteria are killed. But resistant germs may be left to grow and multiply. They can spread to other people. They can also cause infections that certain antibiotics cannot cure. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one example. It causes infections that are resistant to several common antibiotics. To help prevent antibiotic resistance Don’t use antibiotics for viruses like colds or flu. Antibiotics don’t work on viruses. Don’t pressure your doctor to give you an antibiotic. When you take antibiotics, follow the directions carefully. Finish your medicine even if you feel better. If you stop treatment too soon, some bacteria may survive and re-infect you. Don’t save antibiotics for later or use someone else’s prescription. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Videos and Tutorials Animation of Antimicrobial Resistance Food and Drug Administration Reference Desk Antibiotic / Antimicrobial Resistance Glossary Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Antibiotics and Resistance: Glossary Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics Statistics and Research Antibiotic and Antimicrobial Resistance: Threat Report 2013 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Antimicrobial Resistance National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases On the Trail of Drug-Defying Superbugs National Institute of General Medical Sciences Prevention and Risk Factors Antibiotic Resistance Food and Drug Administration Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Antimicrobial (Drug) Resistance Prevention National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases CDC Vital Signs: Making Health Care Safer — Protect Patients from Antibiotic Resistance Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Mission Critical: Preventing Antibiotic Resistance Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Stop the Spread of Superbugs: Help Fight Drug Resistant Bacteria National Institutes of Health Start Here Antibiotic Resistance Questions and Answers Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Antibiotics: Misuse Puts You and Others at Risk Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Antimicrobial (Drug) Resistance National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Facts about Antibiotic Resistance Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Health Check Tools Antibiotics Quiz Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Specifics Antimicrobial (Drug) Resistance: Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) Frequently Asked Questions National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Antimicrobial Resistance World Health Organization Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) Infection Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE):Overview National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci in Healthcare Settings Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Related Issues CDC Vital Signs: Making Health Care Safer Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Find an Expert Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Food and Drug Administration Food and Drug Administration National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Antibiotic Resistance National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci National Institutes of Health Treatments and Therapies Combating Antibiotic Resistance Food and Drug Administration What Can Be Done about Antibiotic Resistance? Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics Children Danger of Antibiotic Overuse (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Images Examples of How Antibiotic Resistance Spreads Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Journal Articles Antibiotic resistance Diagnosis and Tests Susceptibility Testing American Association for Clinical Chemistry Array Vancomycin resistant enterococci Latest News Antibiotic Resistance Common in Kids’ Urinary Tract Infections HealthDay Too Many People Still Take Unneeded Antibiotics HealthDay Antibiotics in Animal Feed Contribute to Drug-Resistant Germs HealthDay U.S. Officials Confirm Superbug Resistant to All Antibiotics HealthDay
