Key Takeaways
- Antibiotics treat specific bacterial infections, not viral colds, flu or allergies.
- Use an antibiotic only when prescribed for the current illness.
- Never share antibiotics or use leftover tablets from an earlier prescription.
- Prevention through hygiene and vaccination reduces the need for antibiotics.
What Antibiotic Resistance Actually Means
Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria change and no longer respond to medicines that previously controlled them. It is the bacteria, not the patient, that become resistant. Resistant infections can be harder and more expensive to treat and may require different medicines or hospital care.
The WHO Global Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance Report 2025 found resistance rising in more than 40% of the monitored pathogen-antibiotic combinations between 2018 and 2023.
Seven Rules for Responsible Antibiotic Use
- Use antibiotics only when prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional.
- Do not demand an antibiotic when a clinician says it is unlikely to help.
- Follow the prescribed dose and schedule; ask the prescriber what to do if a dose is missed.
- Do not stop, extend or repeat treatment on your own. Follow the current prescriber's instructions.
- Never share antibiotics with family or friends.
- Do not use leftovers for a new illness; seek advice on safe disposal.
- Report side effects promptly, especially rash, swelling, breathing trouble or severe diarrhoea.
Common Myths That Drive Misuse
Antibiotics do not treat viral colds or influenza, and they do not relieve seasonal allergies. Feeling better after starting an antibiotic does not prove the illness was bacterial; many viral infections improve naturally over the same period.
A "stronger" or broader-spectrum antibiotic is not automatically better. The right choice depends on the likely infection, local resistance, allergy history, kidney or liver function, pregnancy, age and sometimes laboratory testing.
Prevention Protects Antibiotics Too
Hand hygiene, safe food and water, recommended vaccination, cough etiquette and good infection control reduce illness and therefore reduce antibiotic demand. Patients can also help by keeping an accurate medicine and allergy list and asking what diagnosis the prescription is intended to treat.
This article provides general education and is not a prescription. For public guidance, see the WHO World AMR Awareness Week resources.
Did You Know?
"WHO reported that one in six laboratory-confirmed common bacterial infections worldwide in 2023 was resistant to antibiotic treatment."