Antibiotics are drugs used to treat infections caused by bacteria (germs). Each day, 15 Canadians die from antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Antibiotics are important because they save lives!
What do antibiotics help with?
Antibiotics kill the bad (and good) bacteria in our bodies. Some common infections treated with antibiotics are:
What antibiotics don't help with:
Antibiotics don't kill viruses. Don't take antibiotics for:
What are common side effects of antibiotics?
Serious side effects include:
Talk with your health care provider if you have any questions about your antibiotics, or if you start having side effects, especially diarrhea. This may be a sign of C. difficile infection, which is more serious.
What is antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance is when bacteria get stronger after antibiotics are used. This means that antibiotics will not work as well to kill those bacteria and treat infections the next time you use them.
Using antibiotics too much, especially when they are not needed or for too long, leads to antibiotic resistance.
Why should I care about antibiotic resistance? I don’t take antibiotics.
What can I do to fight antibiotic resistance?