Everyone Can Help Keep Antibiotics

Working


By using antibiotics only when needed
Following good hygiene practices
What Well Learn...
How are viruses and bacteria
different?
How illness is spread.
Myths and facts about antibiotics.
Tips for for preventing the spread of
illness.
A communicable disease is disease that can be
passed from one person to another. These
diseases are often caused by germs, such as
bacteria or viruses.
Influenza Virus
Flu
Streptococcus
Pneumoniae Bacteria
Ear infections
Meningitis
Pneumonia
Some examples of contagious bacterial
diseases are:
-strep throat
-impetigo
-pertussis (whooping
cough)
-bacterial conjunctivitis
(pink eye)


Antibiotics Work
Some contagious viral infections include:
varicella (chicken pox)
rubella (German measles)
the common cold
hepatitis
mumps
infectious mononucleosis
rubeola (measles)


Antibiotics Dont Work

Why do young children
have more illness?
Infection can result from sharing towels,
dishes, or from handling contaminated objects.
Indirect contact or skin to skin contact can
also result in the spread of an illness.
Sometimes an illness is passed to others by
a carrier, or a person who has been infected
by a germ but does not look or feel sick. This
person may carry the germ in their nose,
throat, or stomach. They can pass the germ
to others by coughing, sneezing, or by not
washing their hands properly.

Your hands carry
many germs even
if you cant see
them.
Many people dont
wash their hands
because they look
clean.
As you can see
this is not always
the case.

Light patches indicate
germs carried on the
hands
How are Bacteria and
Viruses Different?
Viruses

cause most common respiratory
illnesses, such as colds and coughs
cause a variety of infections from
diarrhea to meningitis
may take 2-3 weeks to resolve
completely
some viruses can be prevented by
vaccines and immunizations
antibiotics do not work for viruses
Viruses Cause...
Most bronchitis/chest colds
Green/yellow nasal discharge
Flu
Most sore throats
Ear aches and some sinusitis

.viruses clear up on their
own - antibiotics won't help!
Bacteria

make you sick when they are where
they dont belong or grow more rapidly
than normal
live in your mouth, nose and throat
are necessary for normal body functions
like digestion
are one of the oldest living things on
Earth
Bacteria Cause...
Strep throat
Some ear infections
Some sinus infections
Pneumonia

...these can be treated with antibiotics
Virus or Bacteria:
Who Knows?
Let your healthcare provider
decide!
It is often hard to tell if illnesses
are caused by a virus or bacteria
Don't pressure healthcare
providers or parents for antibiotics
What are
Antibiotics?

Powerful medicines with one very
important job: to fight disease-causing
bacteria.
When used properly, antibiotics can save
lives.
Antibiotic Resistant
Bacteria Are:
Bacteria that mutate and are
able to resist the antibiotics that
are meant to kill them.

This is a normal process speeded
up by the overuse and misuse of
antibiotics.
What is Antibiotic Misuse?
Taking antibiotics when they are not needed:
for viral infections
When needed, taking antibiotics incorrectly:
stopping the medicine when you feel
better - not finishing the prescription
saving antibiotics for a future illness
sharing or using someone elses medicine
Why is Antibiotic Misuse
a Problem?
1. Antibiotics become less effective and
may not work the next time you use
them.
2. Improper use of antibiotics leads to
more antibiotic resistant bacteria.
3. Antibiotic resistant bacteria can be
spread throughout the community and
from person to person.
Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria
Require stronger antibiotics
Are more common in people who
recently used antibiotics*
Can be spread within a family or a
community
Can affect anyone
Are becoming more common
Myths & Facts about
Antibiotics and
Respiratory Illness
Myths and Facts
Myth: Taking antibiotics means I or
my child can return to work or
childcare sooner
Fact: Antibiotics do not shorten the
duration of viral illnesses
Everyone should stay home until they
are fever-free and well enough to
participate in activities whether they
have a viral or bacterial illness.
Myths and Facts
Myth: Cold and flu symptoms will feel
better or get better faster on antibiotics
Fact: Antibiotics cannot ease the
symptoms of viral illnesses; these
infections resolve on their own
Children and adults need extra rest and
care, extra fluidsnot antibiotics,
symptomatic relief is helpful
Myths and Facts
Myth: Illnesses with the same
symptoms require antibiotics
Fact: Illnesses with similar symptoms
can be caused by different germs
Let a healthcare provider decide if the
illness is caused by a virus or bacteria -
and if antibiotics are needed
Myths and Facts
Myth: If I take an antibiotic, I wont
spread my illness to others
Fact: Viral illnesses (colds, flu, etc.)
usually spread from person to person
before the onset of symptoms; before a
person appears ill
Antibiotics cannot stop the spread of viral
illnesses
How do we Stop Antibiotic
Misuse?
Dont ask for antibiotics let your
doctor decide if you need them
Always take antibiotics exactly as
prescribed
Finish the whole prescription - do not
stop when you feel better
Never save antibiotics for a future
illness or share with others
How Can You Keep
Yourself Well
Handwashing
Immunizations

Wash Your Hands...
Upon arrival to and before leaving work
Before and after handling food
Before and after toileting

After:
working outside
handling pets
handling any body fluids
wiping a child's nose or your own
using play dough, sand or water tables
Hand Washing is Important
Because
80% of disease is
spread by your hands.

Hand washing is the
most effective way to
prevent the spread of
respiratory illness.

Some germs can live
on dry surfaces for
several hours and
moist surfaces like,
sinks for 3 days.

Handwashing Guidelines
Wet hands with warm, running water
Add soap (preferably liquid), rub hands
together to make a lather, away from
water, for at least 15 seconds
Rinse hands well
Dry thoroughly with a clean, disposable
towel
Use a hand sanitizer (alcohol-based)
when soap and running water is not
available (when outside or on trips,
wash hands upon return from trips)
Despite Good Handwashing,
Children and adults will still
get sick...
Immunizations
Immunizations are another
important part of infection
control for vaccine
preventable disease
Make sure you and your
family is up-to-date on
immunizations
Get an annual flu shot
Take Home Messages
Viruses cause most common
respiratory illnesses
Viral illness needs time to heal -
antibiotics cannot help

Take Home Messages
Taking antibiotics for viral illnesses will
not:
cure the infection
keep others from getting the illness
make you feel better
But it will make it more likely you
will have resistant bacteria in your
body.
Bottom Line
Antibiotics are powerful medicines, but
they're not always the answer!
Misusing antibiotics now means they
may not work when needed later to
fight a bacterial infection
We all need to play a role to help keep
antibiotics working!