Improper or excessive use of antibiotics can result in a condition known as antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics are developed to kill or neutralize specific bacteria. In some cases, bacteria and other microbes may adapt to this threat.

They may develop the ability to rapidly pump the antibiotic from the system or alter the site of antibiotic attacks, steering antibiotics away. Some microbes may undergo a mutation in their genetic material that allows them to become resistant to antibiotics. This mutation increases a person’s risk of being infected by bacteria that are difficult to treat.

Antibiotic resistance is a worldwide healthcare concern. In the last decade or so, many types of bacteria have become stronger and more resistant to antibiotics. New strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria are continually emerging. In many cases, these strains can be treated with stronger antibiotics. However, eventually the bacteria begin to adapt to even these more powerful drugs.

Antibiotic-resistant germs can quickly become a threat to the health of family members, classmates and others in the community. This is because it is the microbe – and not the individual person’s body – that becomes resistant to the antibiotic. As an infection passes from person to person, the potential for a significant health crisis grows.

Patients who use antibiotics excessively or inappropriately are at risk of allowing the bacteria and other microbes in their bodies to become resistant to the medication. For this reason, patients are urged to strictly follow their physician’s recommendations while taking antibiotics.

Tactics to help slow the creation of antibiotic-resistant germs include the following:

• Do not take antibiotics for viral infections. Illnesses such as the common cold, influenza, most sore throats, and most coughs and bronchitis are the result of viral infections rather than bacterial infections. Antibiotics cannot kill viruses, so taking antibiotics to treat such illnesses is not helpful and creates the potential for more antibiotic-resistant strains to emerge.
  
  
• Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed. Do not skip doses of the medication. In addition, take all of the antibiotic medication prescribed, even if symptoms stop. Blood levels of the antibiotic must stay within a high enough range to kill bacteria. People also should not take antibiotics prescribed for someone else. Doing so may delay appropriate treatment and can allow bacteria to multiply.
  
  
• Do not save antibiotics for future illness. Over time, the quality of medication contained in an antibiotic degrades and may be unsafe for consumption or ineffective against bacteria.
  
  
• Avoid certain “antibacterial” soaps and cleansers. Choose products with bleach, alcohol, ammonia or hydrogen peroxide. Products with these chemicals kill bacteria without promoting resistance. At present, it is not known whether or not the use of antibacterial soaps increases antibiotic resistance.
  
  
• Keep vaccines up-to-date. Many bacterial infections can be prevented through immunization. Patients can discuss their options with a physician.