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Use Antibiotics Right

Antibiotics are powerful medicines that can prevent or treat bacterial infections when used appropriately. However, there is a growing concern worldwide that antibiotics are not used for the right purposes, such as using it to treat infections caused by viruses. Using antibiotics inappropriately may cause bacteria to develop resistance and threaten their ability to treat common bacterial infections.

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Antibiotics role in curing infections different bacteria viruses
The role of antibiotics
Antibiotics do not cure all infections. Bacteria and viruses may cause different infections, which require specific treatments. Always talk to your doctor for the treatment you need.
Antibiotics penicillin doxycycline amoxicillin work against bacteria infections urinary tract bloodstream pneumonia tuberculosis salmonellosis
Antibiotics work against bacteria

Antibiotics, such as Penicillin, Doxycycline and Amoxicillin, are medicines used to prevent and treat bacterial infections. They work by destroying or slowing down the growth of bacteria.

Examples of bacterial infections include Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), Bloodstream Infections, Pneumonia, Tuberculosis and Salmonellosis.

Antibiotics do not work against viruses upper respiratory infections URTI flu hand foot mouth disease HFMD
Antibiotics do not work against viruses

Antibiotics cannot kill viruses because they have different structures and reproduce in a different way than bacteria. Antibotics have no effect on viral infections such as the flu.

Examples of viral infections in Singapore include Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs) like the flu, and Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease (HFMD).

 
How antibiotics are commonly misused
Taking antibiotics for flu
Misuse antibiotics upper respiratory tract infections URTI flu runny nose sneezing cough mild fever
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs), like the flu, are mainly caused by viruses and cannot be treated with antibiotics.
If you find yourself with common symptoms of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs), such as runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, headache, sore throat, cough and mild fever, talk to your doctor for the treatment you need. Antibiotics should only be taken when they are prescribed to you. Never use or share leftover antibiotics.
Taking antibiotics to speed up recovery of flu
Misuse antibiotics no effect speed up recovery viral infections flu talk to doctor
Antibiotics have no effect on viral infections such as the flu.
As such, antibiotics do not help you to recover faster. Talk to your doctor for the treatment you need. In fact, Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs) typically resolve on their own within 3-10 days.
The impact of misusing antibiotics
Due to people misunderstanding how antibiotics work, antibiotics are sometimes taken for the wrong purposes, resulting in bacteria growing "smarter" over time and learning how to resist existing antibiotics.
Impact misuse antibiotics resistance rising worldwide globally new bacteria increase infection medical procedures
New forms of bacteria are emerging and spreading globally

Bacteria that have developed resistance to antibiotics can spread through contact with contaminated individuals or surfaces. The growing list of bacterial infections include Pneumonia, Tuberculosis, Blood Poisoning, Gonorrhoea, and foodborne diseases.

Increased risks of infection from medical procedures

Antibiotic resistance leads to increased risk of infections from medical procedures. These include common procedures such as organ transplants, chemotherapy and surgeries.

When antibiotics are overused and misused, it decreases their effectiveness. It is more difficult to treat bacterial infections if the antibiotics used become ineffective.
Always talk to doctor for treatment you need prevent antibiotic resistance together
Always talk to your doctor for the treatment you need.

Without urgent action, we are heading for a post-antibiotic era, in which common infections and minor injuries will become deadly once more.

Let's prevent antibiotic resistance together.

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Use Antibiotics Right
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