Antibiotics save lives by killing bacteria or by preventing bacteria from growing. However, antibiotics do not cure infections caused by viruses, such as colds or flu, and are only effective against bacterial infections.
Encouraging the appropriate use of antibiotics may help stop the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The more often a person uses an antibiotic, the more likely it is that those germs will become resistant to that antibiotic.
Follow your doctor's advice on when and how to use antibiotics responsibly so that they remain effective for the future. If we don’t do this, it could become very difficult to control some diseases. It is possible that people would stay sick longer and have to go to the doctor more times. They may even have to take stronger medicine.