What is antibiotic resistance?

Antibiotic resistance is when bacteria change in a way that makes antibiotics work less or in some cases not at all. These resistant bacteria survive and multiply - causing more harm, such as a longer illness, more doctor visits, and a need for more expensive and toxic antibiotics. Resistant bacteria may even cause death. Antibiotic resistance has been called one of the world's most pressing public health problems. One type of antibiotic resistant bacteria is methicillin resistant Staphilococcus aureus, or MRSA.
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How do bacteria become antibiotic resistant?

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria is not new. It happened as soon as antibiotics were used in people and animals. Those bacteria that were resistant survived, reproduced and spread to other people and animals. We know that:

• bacteria can pass genes for resistance to other bacteria, even to different types of bacteria.
• failure to complete a course of antibiotic treatment or using antibiotics inappropriately can select for resistant bacteria.
• certain uses of antibiotics in animals can lead to resistance, as many antibiotics given to animals are identical to those used to treat people.

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What can I do to avoid antibiotic-resistant infections?

Start by talking with your healthcare provider about antibiotic resistance.

• Ask whether an antibiotic is likely to be effective in treating your illness; viral infections like cold, flu, most coughs and bronchitis, or runny noses will not be cured by antibiotics.
• Do not demand an antibiotic when your doctor says one is not appropriate.
• Ask what else you can do to help relieve your symptoms.
• When prescribed an antibiotic by your doctor, follow instructions completely about how many, how often and how long to take them.
• Check with your doctor or pharmacist before mixing your antibiotic or other medicine into food or drink, as this could make the medicine not work as well.
• Never take antibiotics prescribed for someone else, even if you have the same symptoms.

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What can I do to protect my child from antibiotic-resistant bacteria?

Use antibiotics only when your doctor has determined that they are likely to be effective. Antibiotics will not cure most colds, coughs, sore throats, or runny noses. Children fight off colds on their own. Follow all of your doctor's instructions when giving medicine to your child. Do not skip doses; do not save left-over antibiotics for the next time you or your child get sick; make sure your child takes all the doses the doctor said to take; don't just stop because your child is feeling better; and never give your child antibiotics prescribed for someone else, even if they have the same symptoms.
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Does this mean that I should never give my child antibiotics?

Antibiotics are very powerful medicines that, when used correctly, can be very useful in treating infection. If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic for your child, it is important that the antibiotic be taken, following the doctor's instructions completely.
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Where can I find more information on antibiotic resistant infections?

For more information on antibiotic resistant infections, visit the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site:
www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/community/anitbiotic-resistance.htm

Some of the information found in this FAQ comes from the Kansas City Antibiotic Resistance Task Force, made up of pharmacists, health plans, city and state health departments, drugstores and antibiotic manufacturers.
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Kansas City, Mo., Health Department
Antibiotic resistant infections FAQ