Skip to Content
Communicable and Environmental Disease Services

About

Remember--antibiotics are NOT always the best medicine.

When we are sick, we want to feel better right away. We may think that antibiotics will cure our runny noses, or make our children’s flu symptoms go away. Unfortunately antibiotics cannot help with any of these symptoms. Actually, by taking an antibiotic for viral infections such as the common cold or the flu, you may be putting yourselves and those around you at risk of catching antibiotic- resistant bacteria (germ)

For over half a century, clinicians have relied on antibiotics to treat many infections. These "miracle drugs" have allowed us all to live longer and healthier lives. Over time, bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics have developed. This is due in part to the misuse and overuse of antibiotics. The development of resistance can make it difficult for doctors to treat common infections that really do need antibiotics.

Antibiotic resistance rates in Tennessee are among the highest in the nation. The Tennessee Department of Health, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Campaign to Promote Appropriate Antibiotic Use, is dedicated to educate clinicians and the public about appropriate antibiotic use. It is very important that we make a concerted effort to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use in Tennessee.

Get Smart:  Know When Antibiotics Work!

Program LogoMISSION: To reduce inappropriate antibiotic use and the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that cause many upper respiratory illnesses through state and local partnerships.

The mission of Tennessee’s Appropriate Antibiotic Use Campaign will be accomplished by bringing members from the medical and general community together to design and implement educational programs to educate physicians, parents of young children, and the general community about appropriate antibiotic use. Specifically, the goals of the campaign are to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use and the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in Tennessee by:

  • Changing practitioner and consumer attitudes and behaviors regarding the use of antibiotics
  • Increasing parental knowledge of appropriate antibiotic use
  • Increasing community awareness of appropriate antibiotic use and resistance
  • Mobilizing practitioner and consumer groups to assist the community in reducing the over use and misuse of antibiotics

To reach our goals, appropriate antibiotic use coalitions have been created in Nashville and Knoxville. The coalitions, consisting of physicians, consumers, daycare center staff, drug companies, area school representatives and other interested parties, will be instrumental in developing and implementing programs to educate physicians and parents of young children about appropriate antibiotic use. Currently, coalition members have presented information on appropriate antibiotic use to several parent, child care center and practitioner groups. Even more have received information about antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance at medical clinics, pharmacies, and through community and professional newsletters. In addition to consumer and provider education, the TAAUC has begun a media campaign that involves the posting of TAAUC “Snort, Sniffle, Sneeze: No Antibiotics Please” billboards in Davidson and Knox counties.

For more information about the Tennessee Appropriate Antibiotic Use Campaign, call (615) 741-7247.

Order Materials

You may order a limited supply of free antibiotic resistance materials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or a bulk supply from the Public Health Foundation.

Click here to view materials

You may also download copies of the CDC posters and brochures from the Information for Parents and Child Care Center Staff section of the website.

 

FAQ


Frequently Asked Questions

Information Provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

What is an antibiotic?

An antibiotic is a powerful medication designed to kill bacteria. These drugs enable physicians to cure bacterial illnesses, like ear infections and strep throat. Antibiotics do not work against viral infections, such as a cold or influenza (the flu). If you take an antibiotic when it is not needed, you increase your risk for developing an antibiotic-resistant infection if you get sick.

Can antibiotics be harmful?

Unnecessary antibiotics can be harmful. There are two main types of germs that cause illness, viruses and bacteria. Antibiotics only fight bacterial infections. Sometimes antibiotics are given unnecessarily for infections that they will not help or cure. Antibiotics do nothing to help viral illnesses like colds or influenza (flu).

What are resistant bacteria?

Antibiotics do not kill some bacteria. These bacteria are considered to be "resistant" to the antibiotic. Resistant bacteria emerge because of the proper use of antibiotics as well as the overuse of antibiotics. Once bacteria develop resistance to antibiotic treatment, they can continue to live and/or multiply even after an antibiotic is taken.

What is an antibiotic-resistant infection?

An antibiotic-resistant infection is an infection that is difficult or impossible to cure with antibiotics. Ear, sinus, throat, lungs, and intestines are common sites for antibiotic-resistant infections. These infections may be hard to treat, resulting in longer and more severe illnesses. They may even need to be treated in the hospital.

How will the doctor treat my infections if one antibiotic does not work?

Your doctor may try higher doses of antibiotics, a different type of antibiotic, or combinations of antibiotics, or may try to administer the antibiotic in a different way (such as, through the vein).

How do I catch an antibiotic-resistant infection?

There are three ways in which you can get an antibiotic-resistant infection:

  1. You can develop antibiotic-resistant infections when you take an antibiotic. Bacteria that have been exposed to the antibiotic but have developed ways to survive, that is, the bacteria is not killed by the antibiotic. They can then multiply and begin to cause symptoms. You also can transmit these resistant bacteria to others and they too may become ill.
  2. You can catch antibiotic resistant-infections from people who are infected with resistant bacteria. Resistant bacteria are frequently found among people in hospitals, nursing homes, or day care centers. Not properly washing hands can increase your risk of catching all kinds of infections.
  3. You can develop an antibiotic-resistant infection when the bacteria inside your body change in ways that allow them to resist antibiotic treatment.

How can I prevent antibiotic-resistant infections?

You can do several things to prevent-antibiotic resistant infections in yourself and others:

  1. Do not take an antibiotic for a viral infection such as cold or flu.
  2. Always wash your hands thoroughly.
  3. Do not eat uncooked poultry or meat.
  4. Take an antibiotic exactly as the doctor prescribes.
  5. Take the antibiotic until it is gone, even if you are feeling better. Never save the medication to treat yourself or others later.

If I do not take action to avoid antibiotic resistance, how does that affect those around me?

If you do not take action to prevent resistance, you affect your friends and loved ones. Research has shown that during and shortly after the time a household member takes an antibiotic, others in the same household have more resistant bacteria in their throat or on their skin. Although these resistant bacteria may never cause symptoms, they could cause infection or spread to others. Preventing resistance can have larger effects as well. If everyone takes precautions against resistance and uses antibiotics correctly, antibiotics will remain effective for larger periods of time.

Will antibiotics be completely ineffective someday?

It is unlikely that this will occur. However, there are now strains of some bacteria that are not treatable with any of the routinely available antibiotics. Researchers will continue to make or find stronger antibiotics, but bacteria will continue to find ways to survive.

Why would health care providers give antibiotics if not needed?

Approximately one-third to one-half of all antibiotic prescriptions are not needed. Many health care providers report feeling pressured by worried parents or patients to prescribe antibiotics. They also may not be sure whether a bacterium or virus is causing the infection. In some cases, laboratory tests, such as for strep throat, can be helpful.

Why do parents ask their children’s doctor for antibiotics when they may not be needed?

Some day care centers may request that a child be treated with an antibiotic before returning to day care. Also, if a child received an antibiotic in the past for a cold the parent may feel the antibiotic is necessary every time the child has a cold. This is why it is important that parents are educated about when it is appropriate for a doctor to prescribe an antibiotic for their children.

If my doctor wants to give me an antibiotic, what questions do I need to ask?

  1. Why do I (or my child) need an antibiotic?
  2. What is the name of the drug?
  3. How and when do I take it and for how long?
  4. Are there food, drinks, or activities I should avoid while taking this medication?
  5. Does the medication cause side effects? What are they and how can I prevent them?
  6. Can I take this medication safely while I am also taking another prescription or non-prescription medicine?

So what types of infections are antibiotics used for? And what type of infections do not require an antibiotic?

You should take an antibiotic for a bacterial infection, such as strep throat. You should not take an antibiotic for viral infections, such as a cold or the flu. Below is a chart that can help you understand the type of sicknesses that are caused by bacteria and viruses.

Usual Cause
Illness Virus Bacteria Antibiotic Needed?
Cold (with yellow/green runny nose) X   No
Flu (influenza) X   No
Chest cold X   No
Bronchitis X   No
Middle ear infection   X Sometimes*
Strep Throat   X Yes
Sinus Infection   X Sometimes**

*Mild ear infections do not always need antibiotics. Your doctor may wait to see if the ear infection gets better on its own.

**Most sinus infections will need an antibiotic, however sometimes the common cold is mistaken for a sinus infection. Coughs and nasal discharge associated with colds will persist for 10-14 days. If cold/flu symptoms last more than 10-14 days or you experience symptoms of fever with pus-filled nasal discharge and facial pain/tenderness, visit your doctor.

If I have the flu or a cold (viral infections), what can I do to feel better?

  1. Increase your fluids and get extra sleep
  2. Take over the counter pain and fever relievers
  3. Use a cool mist vaporizer or saline nasal spray to relieve congestion
  4. Soothe throat with ice chips, or sore throat spray; lozenges for older children and adults
  5. See your doctor if your symptoms do not improve in 10-14 days
  6. Let your doctor decide if you need an antibiotic

 

For Parents and Child Care Staff

Information for Parents and Child Care Center Staff

Fact Sheetss

Brochures

Posters

For Clinicians

Resources for Clinicians

CDC Treatment Guidelines

Antibiotic Use in Animals

Tennessee’s Team on Antimicrobial Resistance

TTAR Flyer

The Tennessee Team on Antimicrobial Resistance (TTAR) is a coalition of the following members:

  • Tennessee Department of Health
  • Tennessee Department of Agriculture
  • University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine
  • Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association
  • UT Extension Service
  • Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station
  • Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association

These groups and  others joined together to develop and promote this effort to Keep Antimicrobials Working!