How to know if you need an antibiotic

Antibiotics seem to have a reputation for being the cure for symptoms like coughs, sniffles, runny noses and sore throats, but that is not always the case. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the misuse of antibiotics leads to nearly three million antibiotic-resistant infections each year in the United States.

When to use and not use antibiotics

Antibiotics kill bacteria. 

• Viruses cause viral infections.
• Bacteria cause bacterial infections.

Common bacterial infections that can be treated with antibiotics include:

• strep throat
• bacterial pneumonia
• urinary tract infection

Common illnesses that antibiotics will NOT help treat:

• influenza
• common cold
• COVID
• bronchitis
• most sinus infections 
• most ear infections

Antibiotics are only useful in treating bacterial infections.

Why does it matter?

Antibiotics are lifesaving drugs but taking antibiotics when you do not need them won’t help you and can actually harm you. Reactions from antibiotics cause 1 out of 5 medication-related visits to the emergency department.

Like all medications, antibiotics have side effects. They include:

• rashes
• dizziness
• nausea
• diarrhea
• allergic reactions that can be life-threatening

Antibiotics can kill the beneficial bacteria in your body that are essential for digestion, immune function, and overall health. Unnecessary use of antibiotics can cause antibiotic resistance.

How does antibiotic resistance occur?

Antibiotic resistance is when bacteria become too strong, and antibiotics can’t kill them. Antibiotic resistance is caused by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, such as when we take antibiotics when we don’t need them or for too long. When antibiotics become less effective and stop working, infections that were once easily treatable become life-threatening and harder to cure. Antibiotic resistance can affect everyone — ourselves, our loved ones, our immediate communities and those across the globe.

What happens if you are prescribed antibiotics?

If your care team prescribes an antibiotic for you, it means they believe that bacteria caused your illness and antibiotics will help you. Make sure to take the antibiotic exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions, or if you develop side effects from the antibiotic.