Best Practices for Antibiotic Use

Antibiotic use refers to the administration of antibacterial drugs to treat bacterial infections and prevent their spread.

Antibiotic Use FAQ

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What are antibiotics used for?

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. Some are highly specialised and are only effective against certain bacteria. Others, known as broad-spectrum antibiotics, attack a wide range of bacteria, including ones that are beneficial to us. There are two main ways in which antibiotics target bacteria.

What is an antibiotic & how does it work?

What is an antibiotic? Antibiotics are medicines that fight infections caused by bacteria in humans and animals by either killing the bacteria or making it difficult for the bacteria to grow and multiply. Bacteria are germs. They live in the environment and all over the inside and outside of our bodies.

Why do we need antibiotics?

However, too many antibiotics are prescribed unnecessarily and misused, which threatens the usefulness of these important drugs. This is why it’s important that we all use antibiotics ONLY when we need them to protect us from harms caused by unnecessary antibiotic use and to combat antibiotic resistance. What is unnecessary antibiotic use?

How are antibiotics given?

Most antibiotics are given by mouth, either as a liquid or a tablet. Some antibiotics can be applied directly to the eyes as eye drops or ointment. If you are in hospital, you might be given antibiotics through a drip (intravenously). Your doctor will choose the best way for you to receive your medicine.