APUA APUA developed an award-winning patient information pamphlet on proper antibiotic usage. Please contact us to order copies of the patient pamphlet and poster, and specify English or Spanish language version. When bacteria make us sick, we sometimes need antibiotics to help us get better. Bacteria are tiny organisms not visible to the human eye. Billions of bacteria live in and on people, animals and plants at all times.
Antibiotics are prescription drugs that attack bacterial germs.
They are powerful substances which can kill or disable disease causing bacteria. Your doctor gives you a prescription for antibiotics when your illness is caused by bacteria, not by viruses. Antibiotics are generally safe and should always be taken as prescribed. As with any medication, antibiotics may have side effects. Be sure to ask your doctor about potential side effects and how to manage them.