Permit No. 243
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage Paid
Grand Junction, CO
What Is An Antibiotic?
An antibiotic is a medicine that destroys bacteria.
Two examples of many are called amoxicillin and
azithromycin.
Antibiotics do not kill viruses.
Many people take antibiotics when they do not
need them. Antibiotics do not work for every
illness, including the cold or flu and will not prevent
them from spreading to others.
FEEL BETTER
WITHOUT
ANTIBIOTICS
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PO Box 10600
Grand Junction, CO 81502-5600
www.rmhp.org
QI82R10/20/11Þ
However, taking antibiotics too
often can cause the body to
develop Antibiotic Resistance.
This happens when antibiotics
lose their power to kill
bacteria after taking them
when they’re not needed
or taken as prescribed.
Make the rest of your life
the best of your life.
ANTIBIOTICS AREN’T ALWAYS THE ANSWER
MOST ILLNESSES ARE CAUSED BY TWO KINDS OF GERMS: BACTERIA OR VIRUSES. ANTIBIOTICS CAN CURE
BACTERIAL INFECTIONS – NOT VIRAL INFECTIONS. ANTIBIOTICS CAN WORK FOR BACTERIAL INFECTIONS THAT
CAUSE STREP THROAT, SOME PNEUMONIA AND SINUS INFECTIONS. ANTIBIOTICS DO NOT FIGHT VIRUSES AND
WILL NOT WORK FOR THE COMMON COLD, BRONCHITIS, THE FLU, AND MOST COUGHS AND SORE THROATS.
Prevent Antibiotic Resistance Now!
Take antibiotic only when prescribed by your doctor and
USING ANTIBIOTICS
FOR A VIRUS:
½½ Will NOT cure the infection
½½ Will NOT help you feel better
½½ Will NOT keep others from catching
your illness
be sure to take all of the medicine. Do not ever share your
½½ Cool compress on the forehead
antibiotics or save them for future use.
½½ Warm compress on sore muscles
½½ Bed rest
Only using part of the prescription means that only part of
the infection has been treated. Not finishing the medicine can
cause resistant bacteria to develop.
½½ Avoid things you are allergic to or that cause
irritation
½½ Warm compress against the sore ear
There are alternatives to
taking antibiotics.
Consider asking your primary care physician about over
All Colds and Viral Infections
child could take during a cold or flu that might relieve
the counter medications that are safe that you or your
some of your symptoms.
Stuffy Nose
½½ Use a room humidifier
½½ Saline spray for congested breathing
To speak with a Health Care Professional,
call 800-843-0719 ext 8752 or 5106.
Itchy, Watery Eyes/Sneezing
Ear Ache
½½ Drink plenty of fluids (like water and soup)
No antibiotic can cure a
sickness caused by a virus.
Fever/Muscle Aches
Runny Nose
½½ For red, raw nose, put petroleum jelly or salve on the
exterior
½½ Use tissue with lotion
Moist Cough
½½ Drink more fluids
Sore Throat
½½ Gargle with warm salt water
½½ Avoid smoke
For More information
Working for Antibiotic Resistance Education:
www.aware.md
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention:
www.cdc.gov/flu/takingcare.htm
Faces of Influenza:
www.facesofinfluenza.com
Flu Facts:
www.flufacts.com
Prevent Influenza:
www.preventinfluenza.org