Infectious Diseases Experts Observe “Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work Week” Oct. 6-10

ARLINGTON, Va. — As cold and flu season starts, infectious diseases experts are helping educate the public and their healthcare providers about what will and won’t help people get over these common infections. With antibiotic-resistant “superbugs” on the rise, it’s important to reduce misuse of antibiotics in order to preserve them for situations where they are truly needed.

“Antibiotics have worked so well for so many infections that they have developed a reputation as a cure-all,” said IDSA president Donald M. Poretz, MD. “But they are a finite resource. Bacteria inevitably develop resistance to whatever antibiotics we use. And the more we use them, the sooner we lose them.”