Q: What are antibiotics?
A: Viruses and bacteria are two kinds of germs that can cause infections and make people sick. Antibiotics are powerful medicines that are mostly used to treat infections caused by bacteria. These are known as anti-bacterial drugs.
These drugs cannot fight viruses; there is a special class of medicines called antivirals that specifically fight infections caused by viruses.
There are many classes of antibiotics, each designed to be effective against specific types of bacteria. When an antibiotic is needed to fight a bacterial infection, the correct antibiotic is needed to kill the disease-producing bacteria.

Q: Can I tell if an illness is caused by a virus or a bacteria?
A: The symptoms of viral infections are often the same as those caused by bacterial infections. Sometimes diagnostic tests are needed, but it is important that your health care provider decide if a virus or bacteria is causing the infection.

Q: If an infection is caused by a virus, and an antibiotic will not work, what can be done to relieve the symptoms?
A: You need lots of extra rest, plenty of fluids (water and juice) and healthy foods. Some over-the-counter medications, like acetaminophen (follow package directions or your health care providers’ instructions for dosage) or saline nose drops may help while your body is fighting the virus. A cool mist vaporizer may help too. Viral infections (like chest colds, acute bronchitis and most sore throats) resolve on their own but symptoms can last several days or as long as a couple weeks.

Q: What is Antibiotic Resistance?
A: Antibiotic resistant bacteria are germs that are not killed by commonly used antibiotics. These bacteria are very difficult to cure and sometimes very powerful antibiotics are needed to treat infections caused by these bacteria.
Each time we take antibiotics, sensitive bacteria are killed but resistant ones are left to grow and multiply. When antibiotics are used excessively, when they are used for infections not caused by bacteria (for instance, those caused by viruses), or when antibiotics are not taken as prescribed (such as not finishing the whole prescription or saving part of a prescription for a future infection), resistant bacteria grow. Under these circumstances, bacteria learn how to “out smart” antibiotics.

Q: Is antibiotic resistance a problem?
A: Yes. Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem throughout the United States. The Minnesota Department of Health has seen an increase in antibiotic resistance among bacteria that commonly cause disease in children. An increasing number of these bacteria are resistant to more than one type of antibiotic, making these infections harder to treat.

Q: How can I prevent antibiotic-resistant infections?
A: Use antibiotics only when your health care provider prescribes them, and always take all the medicine that is prescribed. Never ask for antibiotics for a viral infection such as a cold, acute bronchitis, cough, or green/yellow runny nose. Never let anyone take leftover antibiotics or a prescription that was used by someone else in your household.

For more information on antibiotics, visit the Roseau Area Hospital & Homes website at www.rahhinc.com or call Jane Hirst, RN, at (218) 463-2500.