CDC spreading awareness about when use of antibiotics is necessary

ATLANTA Every year, healthcare providers across the country prescribe tens of millions of antibiotics for viral infections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

The CDC is sponsoring the Get Smart About Antibiotics Week between Oct. 6 and Oct. 10 to highlight efforts the agency is making with states, non-profit organizations and businesses to educate the public about antibiotic resistance.

“Antibiotic overuse is a serious problem and a threat to everyone’s health,” said Dr. Lauri Hicks, medical director for CDC’s Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work program. “As we enter this year’s cold and flu season, we ask parents to not insist on getting antibiotics when a healthcare provider says they are not needed. If you have a cold or the flu, antibiotics won’t work for you.”

Hicks said that taking antibiotics to treat viral infections—not the bacterial infections for which they are intended—increases the risk of getting an antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection later on.