WPSU’s Health Minute is a collaboration with Penn State’s Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing.
U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week begins November 18.
Antibiotics are important in the eradication of bacteria that produce disease. They should only be used when prescribed by your doctor, dosed for your specific weight, and finished in the correct length of time. When antibiotics are used incorrectly, it can cause antibiotic resistant strains of diseases, which means they are no longer destroyed by medication. Antibiotics should not be shared with others or used to treat viral infections.
Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, yeast infections, and allergic reactions. If these occur, contact your health care provider.
For more information on antibiotic use and safety, visit the Centers for Disease Control.
