Since their discovery in the 1930s, antibiotics have made it possible to cure diseases caused by bacteria such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and meningitis - saving the lives of millions of people around the world. But antibiotics must be used wisely. Because bacteria are living organisms, they are always changing in an effort to resist the drugs that can kill them. When antibiotics are used incorrectly, bacteria can adapt and become resistant. Antibiotics are then no longer useful in fighting them.
Antibiotic resistance is now a major public health issue.
The correct use of these drugs is the best way to ensure that antibiotics remain useful in treating infections. All Rights Reserved. The Canadian Lung Association site strives to provide you with timely, accurate information, which is not intended for diagnosis or self treatment .