Healthcare Professionals: Avoid Long-Term Consequences, Use Antibiotics Appropriately

As part of Get Smart About Antibiotics Week, today Dr. Martin Blaser discusses the importance of prescribing and using antibiotics appropriately to avoid unnecessary short-term side effects, like rashes and diarrhea, and long-term consequences, like antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics have done untold good, but a growing body of research shows an association between early-life exposures to antibiotics and chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, and obesity-so antibiotics should only be prescribed and used when necessary. Read the CDC's Safer Healthcare Blog.

And don’t forget:
• Follow #AntibioticResistance 2-4 p.m. EST tomorrow to join in a global Twitter chat

• Share Get Smart About Antibiotics factsheets with your colleagues

• Learn more about Get Smart About Antibiotics Week