Be an antibiotic hero

Help defeat the superbugs — only take antibiotics when you really need them.

Do I need antibiotics?

Antibiotics are not a cure-all! Find out what antibiotics will cure (hint: bacterial infections!) — and what you can do to feel better when they’re not the right treatment.

Learn more about taking antibiotics!

True or False:

You can go ahead and take antibiotics even if you don’t need them — just in case. After all, it can’t hurt.

Actually, taking an antibiotic when you don’t need it could make you feel worse. Antibiotics knock out the good bacteria that live in your gut, and that can cause nasty side effects — like diarrhea or a yeast infection. It can also make you more likely to get another infection.

Bingo! Taking an antibiotic when you don’t need it could actually make you feel worse. Antibiotics knock out the good bacteria that live in your gut, and that can cause nasty side effects — like diarrhea or a yeast infection. It can also make you more likely to get another infection.

Did you know?

Every year, antibiotic-resistant bacteria cause more than 2 million illnesses in the United States.

What is antibiotic resistance?

Great question! Learn more about antibiotic resistance: what it is, why it’s happening — and how it could impact your health.

Get the scoop on resistance!

How can I fight superbugs?

Learn how you can take antibiotics responsibly, stay healthy — and help make sure antibiotics are here for us when we need them.

Slow the spread of superbugs!

Myth

Only people who take antibiotics all the time can get an antibiotic-resistant infection.