1) The term “Antibiotic Resistance” refers to the human becoming resistant to antibiotics.

False. It is actually the bacteria that become resistant towards a particular antibiotic. Bacteria has the ability to adapt to their environment and become resistant to antibiotics, rendering them useless.

2) Antibiotics can effectively treat colds and flu. 

False. Antibiotics have no effect of colds and flu, as common viruses cause them. Antibiotics are designed to combat against bacterial infections only. 

3) The only people who are at risk of antibiotic resistance are people who use antibiotics regularly.

False. Any person who gets infected by antibiotic-resistant bacteria will run the same risk as anyone else. This includes patients who contract superbugs from hospitals.

4) You do not have to take all of the antibiotics you are prescribed.

False. Physicians and pharmacists would always tell you finish the entire course of antibiotics for a good reason. This ensures that no bacteria are left in your body. It is usually the lingering bacteria that develop to become resistant to future antibiotics.

 5) Resistance only happens from repeated courses of antibiotics.

 False. Regardless of how many courses of antibiotics are used (1 or 10), there is always a chance of antibiotic resistance.

 6) It is okay to take leftover medications.

 False. Each antibiotic course is used differently depending on the type of infection you have. The antibiotic and dose may be different from the last time you were sick. You may not even need antibiotics at all!

 7) It is effective to treat antibiotic-resistant infections with a combination of antibiotics.

False. As a matter of fact, this would worsen and cause more antibiotic resistance and would want to be avoided.

 Learn more about antibiotic resistance in our Articles section.

 

References:

1. Did You Know? Get the Facts on Antibiotic Resistance [Internet]. Pewtrusts.org. 2011 [cited 15 November 2016]. Available from: http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2011/05/08/did-you-know-get-the-facts-on-antibiotic-resistance

2. Sifferlin A. 5 Common Myths About Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria [Internet]. TIME.com. 2015 [cited 15 November 2016]. Available from: http://time.com/4114345/antibiotic-resistance-common-myths/

3. Myths About Antibiotics - Consumer Reports [Internet]. Consumerreports.org. 2015 [cited 15 November 2016]. Available from: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2015/06/6-big-myths-about-antibiotics/index.htm

4. Antibiotics myths and truths [Internet]. Thecitizen.co.tz. 2016 [cited 15 November 2016]. Available from: http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/oped/Antibiotics-myths-and-truths-/1840568-3302886-es18g5z/index.html

5. Mendelson M. 7 of the most common misconceptions about antibiotic resistance [Internet]. Business Insider. 2015 [cited 15 November 2016]. Available from: http://uk.businessinsider.com/the-most-common-misconceptions-about-antibiotic-resistance-2015-11

Picture: Hurt M. Antibiotic Stewardship Program at Williamson Medical Center gains national recognition [Internet]. 2016 [cited 15 November 2016]. Available from: http://williamsonmedicalcenter.org/in-the-community/healthyu/2016/01/21/antibiotic-stewardship-program-at-williamson-medical-center-gains-national-recognition/