NARRATOR: Since antibiotics became a standard part of medical care in the 1940s, deaths from many types of infections have decreased. But antibiotics don’t work against all kinds of infections, and they can have serious side effects. What’s more, antibiotics can make bacteria resistant to that type of antibiotic, and resistant bacteria can cause infections that are hard to treat with the usual medications your doctor would prescribe. This is a big problem called antimicrobial resistance, and it is why scientists are on an endless quest to develop new antibiotics that will defeat resistant bacteria—called superbugs.

But despite the need to find better antibiotics, we must also reduce the use of antibiotics that aren’t needed. When doctors give too many antibiotics, they can increase the likelihood of resistance. And when people take antibiotics when they don’t need them, like for a cold or flu or mild bacterial infections that would go away on their own, they can have unpleasant and unnecessary side effects.

Everyone can help reduce the misuse of antibiotics. For example, never share your antibiotics with others and don’t save any left over medication to take later for another infection. Take your antibiotics exactly as prescribed by your doctor, and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better before the prescription is finished. And don’t take antibiotics for a viral infection (like a cold or flu) or for a sore throat that isn’t caused by strep.