Everyone, doctors and patients alike, can help counteract the rapid increase in the number of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Here are 10 things that are important to know about antibiotics, based on information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics.
Antibiotics are only effective against infections caused by bacteria.
They do not work against infections caused by viruses. Viruses, not bacteria, cause colds, flu and most throat infections. Streptococcus bacteria do cause some throat infections. There is no way to be certain what is causing the infection without taking a sample and having it cultured in a laboratory. Sinus infections can be caused by either bacteria or viruses.