Antibiotics
Antibiotics treat certain bacterial infections and are life-saving when used properly – they DON'T work for every sickness such as the common cold, flu and sore throat (except strep).
Your medical provider will prescribe an antibiotic if they think it's appropriate and will help with your treatment.
Taking an antibiotic when you shouldn't kills good bacteria and can cause your body to become resistant to antibiotics. It also won't help you recover, and the side effects could hurt you.
Do's and Don'ts
DO:
- Take it exactly as your health care provider says.
- Take only what is prescribed for you.
- Prevent infections by washing your hands and getting vaccinated.
DON'T:
- Don't skip doses.
- Don't share prescriptions with others.
- Don't insist on an antibiotic if your health care provider doesn't think you should have one.
Common Illnesses
Learn when antibiotics are and aren’t needed for common infections.
Symptom Relief
What you can do to relieve some symptoms while a viral illness runs its course. The pharmacy at Redfern sells many over-the-counter products that can help you feel better.
The Joint Commission. (February 2017). SpeakUp:Antibiotics. Retrieved from URL
