•November 16, 2016•

During Get Smart About Antibiotics Week, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is asking Illinoisans to learn how they can help prevent the misuse of life saving medications.

“Antibiotics are among the most commonly prescribed drugs. However, up to 50 percent of all antibiotics prescribed are not needed or are not as effective as intended,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “Because of misuse, antibiotic resistant bacterial infections are more common, resulting in many of our life saving medications losing efficacy. I encourage everyone to take some time this week to learn how you can keep antibiotics working.”

Antibiotics are medicines that treat bacterial infections. They do not cure infections caused by viruses, such as the common cold or flu. Taking antibiotics when you do not need them can prevent them from working when you do need them.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.