Healthy Habits: CDC Get Smart About Antibiotics

There are many health decisions that we need to think about on a daily basis. And unfortunately, many make the decision to ask for antibiotics for every cold or runny nose. This is unfortunate since most of these symptoms are caused by viruses and antibiotics are ineffective against these infections; antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections.

Antibiotics are life-saving drugs first used during World War II to treat bacterial infections. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in a way that reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of antibiotics. As a result, stronger, more expensive antibiotics are required to overcome the same bacteria. Persons who develop antibiotic-resistant infections are more likely to need hospitalization and are at increased risk for death. Using antibiotics inappropriately contributes to rising rates of antibiotic-resistant infections. I have a very close friend of mine who almost died, and another whose son was in the hospital for quite some time, due to antibiotic-resistant bugs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work program in hosting Get Smart About Antibiotics Week (November 12-18, 2012).

One way to participate in this observance is to join the planned Twitter Chat with Dr. Rich Besser. Due to the success of the 2011 Twitter Chat, CDC’s Get Smart program (@CDCgov) will join ABC News’ senior health and medical editor, Dr. Rich Besser, and other guest experts for a live Twitter chat on Tuesday, November 13 from 1-2pm Eastern Time (#abcDrBchat, #SaveAbx). The chat will focus on appropriate antibiotic use and symptom relief tips for upper respiratory infections, like the common cold, sinusitis and bronchitis.

Please visit the Get Smart website for more information.