Take this antibiotics quiz to see. When you get sick, you might think an antibiotic will save the day. But taking antibiotics for the wrong reason could actually harm you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that taking antibiotics too often could do you more harm than good. Smart use of antibiotics is the key.

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FAQs About the Flu

1. Antibiotics can treat all of the following effectively: the common cold, chicken pox, flu, strep throat, and measles.

True     False

False. Strep throat is the only ailment in this list caused by bacteria, so it's the only one that an antibiotic can help.



2. Antibiotics are used to treat all germs.

True     False

False, there area two kinds of germs - bacteria and viruses. Antibiotics are strong medications designed to fight bacteria. Some of the more common bacterial infections are strep throat, urinary tract infections, and certain sinus infections.



3. You should expect your doctor to prescribe an antibiotic to treat a cold or flu.

True     False

False. Colds are caused by viruses. You should not take an antibiotic to tr eat a viral infection such as the common cold or the flu.



4. If you are prescribed an antibiotic for 7 days and symptoms improve on day 5, you should finish the rest of the antibiotic.

True     False

True. Take every prescribed dose, even after you start feeling better. The more resistant bacteria may still be lingering and could begin to reproduce and cause more problems.



5. Overuse or misuse of antibiotics can make bacteria harder to treat in the future.

True     False

True. If you take antibiotics too often, fail to take them as your doctor prescribes, or use them for infections caused by viruses, you increase your chances of developing resistance to antibiotics. This can make infections harder to treat in the future. Overuse of antibiotics has led to alarming rates of bacterial resistance, according to the CDC.



6. Antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" can be passed from person to person.

True     False

True. Some antibiotic resistant germs might not make another person sick, but can be dangerous for you. Bacterial infections caused by these supergerms are hard to treat, and can even be life threatening.

• Don't pressure your doctor to prescribe an antibiotic.
  
  
• Don't save "leftover" antibiotics for the next time you get sick. And never share antibiotics.
  
  
• Wash your hands often. Use warm soapy water and wash for 10 to 30 seconds. This is especially important before cooking and eating and after using the bathroom, blowing your nose, or handling pets.
  
  
• Take precautions as an inpatient. Ask your doctor or pharmacist what you can do to reduce your risk of developing an infection when going to the hospital for an operation or other procedure.