If anyone was wondering how they could aid in the war against antibiotic resistance, here are some simple but effective methods of doing just that!

Recommendations:
• Avoid taking antibiotics for viral infections such as cold/flu
• Avoid saving antibiotics for future usage
• Avoid sharing antibiotics with anyone
• Be 100% adherent to physician’s instructions (finish entire regimen)
• Always ask your health care professionals questions about your antibiotic prescriptions if you are unsure about anything
• Improve the communication between physicians and patients
• Kindly donate to a known antibiotic research facility
• Selectively choose to eat at restaurants with antibiotic-free meat
• Other applicable countries: Do not purchase antibiotics over the counter without physician instructions

No matter who you are, you can make a world of a difference just by doing your own part to combat antibiotic resistance. It starts with one and everyone would be positively contributing to the fight against antibiotic resistance.

 

References:

Small But Growing Number of Doctors Face Criminal Charges Over Prescription Drugs - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids [Internet]. Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. 2011 [cited 15 November 2016]. Available from: http://www.drugfree.org/news-service/small-but-growing-number-of-doctors-face-criminal-charges-over-prescription-drugs/

Combating Antibiotic Resistance [Internet]. Fda.gov. 2016 [cited 15 November 2016]. Available from: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm092810.htm

General Background: What can be done about Antibiotic Resistance? [Internet]. Emerald.tufts.edu. 2014 [cited 30 September 2016]. Available from: http://emerald.tufts.edu/med/apua/about_issue/what_can_be_done.shtml#5

Llor CBjerrum L. Antimicrobial resistance: risk associated with antibiotic overuse and initiatives to reduce the problem. Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety. 2014;5(6):229-241.