During U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week, Illinois Department of Public
Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike is urging everyone to learn
when an antibiotic can help, and when it won’t.
“Antibiotics are critical to treating many infections and saving
lives, but when they are prescribed and taken unnecessarily, they
can become less effective,” said Dr. Ezike. “Antibiotics don’t work
on viruses, like those that cause the common cold or the flu. Talk
with your health care provider about what is making you sick and
what is needed to get better.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
each year in the U.S., more than 2.8 million people get an
antibiotic-resistant infection, and more than 35,000 people die.
That means, on average, someone in the U.S. gets an
antibiotic-resistant infection every 11 seconds, and every 15
minutes someone dies.
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The CDC recently released its updated Antibiotic Resistance Threats
in the United States (AR Threats Report) showing prevention efforts
have reduced deaths from antibiotic-resistant infections by 18
percent overall, and by nearly 30 percent in hospitals. However,
without continued vigilance, this progress may be challenged by the
increasing burden of some infections.
Steps to help prevent antibiotic resistance:
• Ask your health care provider for appropriate remedies when
antibiotics are not indicated.
• Do not insist on antibiotics when your health care provider thinks
you do not need them.
• Complete the entire course of prescribed antibiotics even after
you are feeling better.
• Stay up to date on your recommended vaccines to help prevent
illness.
• Wash your hands regularly to stop the spread of disease.
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Do I need an antibiotic?
YES
Bacteria |
MAYBE
Bacteria or Virus |
NO
Virus |
Strep Throat |
Bronchitis |
Flu |
Tuberculosis |
Ear
Infection |
Colds |
Whooping Cough |
Sinus
Infection |
Sore throats (except strep) |
Urinary Tract Infection |
|
|
IDPH is committed to continued collaboration with partners to
implement and refine the Illinois Action Plan to Prevent
Healthcare-Associated Infections, and finalize the Illinois
Multi-Drug Resistant Organism Surveillance Investigation and
Response Plan. IDPH coordinates a regional response to identify
affected patients, provide technical assistance to facilities on
infection prevention and control practices, and improve
communication between facilities by automatically notifying a
facility when a patient known to have an antibiotic-resistant germ
is admitted. IDPH will also continue to support antimicrobial
stewardship by offering resources and technical assistance to health
care facilities and prescribers to ensure antibiotics are
appropriately used to treat infections. Preventing antibiotic
resistance will help ensure these lifesaving drugs will continue to
work in the future.
More information about healthcare-associated infections and
antimicrobial resistance prevention in Illinois can be found on the
IDPH website http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/patient-safety-quality/hai-prevention.
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information]
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