Health Tip: Prevent Antibiotic Overuse
Antibiotics are meant to treat bacterial infections, but they aren't effective against viruses such as those that cause the common cold.
To prevent overuse of antibiotics, it's important to only take them for bacterial infections.
Here are suggestions on how to use antibiotics properly:
* Only take antibiotics as recommended by your doctor. Never take any antibiotic that was prescribed for someone else, or that was prescribed for you to treat a different illness.
* If your doctor says you have a virus, you shouldn't ask for an antibiotic.
* Take your antibiotic exactly as prescribed, and always finish your prescription. Never save some of your antibiotic to treat a future infection.
Health Tip: Women and Antibiotics
Antibiotics are safe and effective medications prescribed to treat bacterial infections.
Here are possible side effects that women should be aware of before using these medications, courtesy of the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics:
* Yeast infections.
* Diarrhea, upset stomach and vaginal infections.
* Decreased effectiveness of birth control pills.
* Certain antibiotics should not be taken by a woman who is pregnant or nursing, unless prescribed by a physician who is familiar with the woman's condition.
* Antibiotics can interact with many other medications.
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