Antibiotics Are Not Always The Answer

What Are Antibiotics?
Antibiotics are powerful medicines that help cure certain illnesses like strep throat, urinary tract infections, and some ear and sinus infections. They will not cure-or even help-other illnesses such as: chest colds, bronchitis, and flu.

What If You're Not Sure You Need An Antibiotic?
Ask your doctor. He or she knows when you or your children need an antibiotic. Then trust your doctor's advice.

What Happens If You Take Antibiotics When You Don't Need Them?
If you or your children take an antibiotic when it's not needed, it loses its ability to fight infections. This means the next time you or your children really need the antibiotic, it might not work.

Antibiotics Do Not Work For:

Colds

Bronchitis

Flu

Green/Yellow Runny Nose

Antibiotics Do Work For:

Strep Throat

Urinary Tract Infections

Some Sinus Infections

If You Do Not Get An Antibiotic For Your Illness:

Get extra sleep.

Drink extra fluids.

Try a non-prescription pain reliever.

Try over-the-counter cold and cough medicine.

If You Do Get An Antibiotic For Your Illness:

Take the medication exactly as the doctor has instructed.

Always take the full prescription.

Never share prescription medicine with other family members or friends.

With the support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the goal of the New Mexico campaign is to educate the public about when antibiotics do and do not work and to reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics. Print materials are being made available at local pharmacies including Walgreen's, Savon, Osco, and at doctor's offices beginning in November.

If you have questions about your illness, talk to your doctor. For additional information about Antibiotics Are Not Always The Answer, or for samples of print materials, contact the New Mexico Department of Health at (505) 827-0006 or the CDC hotline at 1-888-246-2675.

Materials in English and Spanish:

Key: PDF Format MP3 Sound File Quicktime Video Clip