Infections caused by resistant bacteria have become more common, and many bacteria have become resistant to multiple antibiotics. This trend demands urgent action by patients, healthcare providers, facility administrators and health care insurers to preserve the last lines of defense against many of these germs. In conjunction with Get Smart About Antibiotics Week (November 12-18), CDC and partners will release new data on Americans’ knowledge of antibiotic resistance and appropriate antibiotic use, and a policy statement highlighting strategies to conserve and replenish our antibiotic resources.

What You Can Do

• Patients can take antibiotics exactly as the doctor prescribes, complete the prescribed course of treatment even when starting to feel better, and ask what treatment would be best for their illness instead of demanding antibiotics from their doctor, if not needed.
• Healthcare providers can prescribe correctly; collaborate with other providers and patients; stop, and assess, and embrace antibiotic stewardship.
• Healthcare facility administrators and payers can focus on reducing unnecessary antibiotic use, which can reduce antibiotic-resistant infections such as Clostridium difficile infections, along with decreasing costs. This can improve patients outcomes.

Selected Quotes

“The threat of untreatable infections is real. Although previously unthinkable, the day when antibiotics don’t work is upon us. We are already seeing germs that are stronger than any antibiotics we have to treat them. ” - Arjun Srinivasan, MD, Associate Director for Healthcare Associated Infection Prevention Programs, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

“We need antibiotics to combat life-threatening bacterial infections, and overuse of these drugs promotes resistance and reduces their effectiveness.” - Lauri Hicks, DO, Medical Epidemiologist and Director of Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work, Respiratory Diseases Branch, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

“Most Americans understand when and how to use antibiotics properly and are aware that resistance is an emerging threat, but superbugs are evolving faster than we can come up with new drugs to fight them.” - Allan Coukell, Director of Medical Programs for the Pew Health Group

“Antibiotics are common global resources and their effectiveness is a "global public good" that is depleted with every use. Each of us has a responsibility to preserve antibiotic effectiveness for the greater good. Fortunately, we know how to both be good stewards and derive great benefits from antibiotics. We can and must do better.” - Ramanan Laxminarayan, PhD, Director, Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics Policy (CDDEP)

“Pediatricians see many upper respiratory infections and sore throats in our offices each year, most of which are caused by viruses and don’t require antibiotic treatment. AAP supports efforts to use antibiotics judiciously to preserve treatment options. We encourage pediatricians to talk to parents about appropriate treatment options.” - Thomas McInerny, MD, FAAP, President, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

“It’s time to hold ourselves accountable for careless use of antibiotics – a fragile and imperiled global health resource. We already are faced with bacteria that are resistant to all available antibiotics, and the situation will only get worse without serious stewardship and highly reliable measures to prevent transmission.” - Don Goldmann, MD, Senior Vice President, Institute for Healthcare Improvement

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