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Dear doctor,
why don’t I get antibiotics for my flu?

1/28
Because antibiotics have no effect on viruses.

Antibiotics work on bacteria, but have no effect on viruses. So they cannot treat the flu, a cold or Covid. So there’s no need to take them!

Dear doctor,
may I also have an antibiotics prescription for my husband?

2/28
No, antibiotics cannot be prescribed without medical advice.

Even if, a priori, you have the same symptoms, a prescription for antibiotics cannot be issued for another patient. You must first make sure that antibiotics are necessary and won’t cause problems. This’ll be done via a blood test or a throat swab.

Dear doctor,
can I accelerate my child’s recovery with the help of antibiotics?

3/28
No, because in most cases antibiotics will not be effective.

Sometimes you want to get better faster. To be fit for school, for an organised activity or for the holidays. But antibiotics won’t make you feel better faster. Not you, nor your children. They are ineffective against coughs, flus, colds, acute bronchitis and most forms of throat and ear infections. If you give them antibiotics unnecessarily, you deprive them of the opportunity of building up their own immune systems.

Dear doctor,
are antibiotics still useful if some of them are becoming less effective?

4/28
For some diseases, they are still absolutely necessary.

Some cases of urinary tract or respiratory infections can only be cured with appropriate antibiotic treatment. We must therefore act together to ensure that antibiotics remain effective and can treat the conditions for which they are needed.

Dear doctor,
may I be treated even if the infection is caused by resistant bacteria?

5/28
There are still treatments available but it’s more complicated.

The bacterial strain should be accurately identified and the antibiotic treatment adapted according to the results of the analyses.

Dear doctor,
i had a rash during a course of antibiotics, may I never use antibiotics again?

6/28
It is best to discuss this with your doctor.

Antibiotics don’t only attack harmful bacteria, useful bacteria also suffer. This is why there can be side effects (e.g. allergic reactions, diarrhoea, fungal infections...). Each antibiotic has its own side effects. If you have persistent problems, consult your doctor.

Dear doctor,
is it true that bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics?

7/28
Yes, if antibiotics are not used correctly.

Bacteria are capable of developing resistance to the effectiveness of antibiotics. Improper use may increase the number of these resistant bacteria. Some bacteria can even become resistant to antibiotics from different families, which is called multi-resistant bacteria. Proper use of antibiotics is therefore essential.

Dear doctor,
i have been told not to take antibiotics too often, why?

8/28
Because frequent use of antibiotics promotes bacterial resistance.

Bacteria learn to defend themselves against antibiotics and become resistant, i.e. their vital functions are no longer affected even when they are exposed to high concentrations of antibiotics. The danger is that antibiotics will lose their effectiveness in the future and that certain infections will no longer be curable. In order to limit this phenomenon, antibiotics must be used properly, i.e. better and less often.

Dear pharmacist,
what do I do with the antibiotics left in my medicine cabinet at home?

9/28
Never save antibiotics for the next time, take them to the pharmacy.

If this happens, do the right thing: take your leftover antibiotics to your pharmacist who will treat them properly. It is forbidden to throw them down the sink, in the toilet or in the dustbin. They can end up in our natural environment, including waterways, which contributes to the development of bacteria resistant to antimicrobials.

Dear pharmacist,
is it serious if I don’t finish my treatment?

10/28
Yes, it is essential to always respect the dose and duration of treatment.

When your doctor prescribes antibiotics, follow the prescription carefully. Even if you feel better after a few days, finish the treatment. This is necessary because the bacteria are only destroyed gradually.

Dear pharmacist,
can I use the antibiotics I have left from another time?

11/28
No, don’t keep them, take them back to your pharmacy.

You should never use an antibiotic on your own without the advice of your doctor as it is probably not suitable. This could delay a proper diagnosis and make your problem worse. Furthermore, antibiotics have no preventive effect. They are neither a miracle cure nor necessarily the right solution for winter ailments or any other infection.

Dear pharmacist,
is it true that traces of antibiotics can be found in rivers?

12/28
Yes, they are present in 65% of the rivers surveyed in 72 countries.

Traces of antibiotics in our rivers come from various sources. These include antibiotics excreted by patients, which are not always completely removed from wastewater. They also come from antibiotics that are thrown away in the garbage or in the toilet. This antibiotic pollution is an important factor in the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

Dear pharmacist,
i have a wound or skin infection, is it a good idea to use an antibiotic ointment?

13/28
Only in a few cases.

The use of antibiotic creams or ointments is only useful in certain specific situations. If you have a wound or skin infection, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. Using antibiotic creams or ointments can encourage the development of resistance.

Dear pharmacist,
i have the same symptoms as last time, can you advance me a box of antibiotics?

14/28
No, because antibiotics are prescribed and not always necessary.

Sometimes you have symptoms that resemble a previous illness (e.g. fever and cough) that were treated with antibiotics. Why can’t the pharmacist "advance" you a box of antibiotics and let you bring the prescription later? Simply because your doctor is the only one who can make a correct analysis of your situation and check whether an antibiotic is necessary. This is why your pharmacist is not allowed to give you an antibiotic without a doctor’s prescription.

Dear pharmacist,
i have been told not to take antibiotics too often, why?

15/28
Because frequent use of antibiotics promotes bacterial resistance.

Bacteria learn to defend themselves against antibiotics and become resistant, i.e. their vital functions are no longer affected even when they are exposed to high concentrations of antibiotics. The danger is that antibiotics will lose their effectiveness in the future and that certain infections will no longer be curable. In order to limit this phenomenon, antibiotics must be used properly, i.e. better and less often.

Dear pharmacist,
how can we use less antibiotics?

16/28
By making good use of them, and taking the right precautions.

First of all, antibiotics should only be used when absolutely necessary. Good hygiene is also the best remedy and helps to prevent the spread of bacteria. Wash your hands before every meal and after every visit to the toilet. Make sure your children do the same. Vaccinations are equally important. They help prevent infections and the subsequent use of antibiotics.

Dear pharmacist,
can antibiotics prevent me from getting sick?

17/28
No, because antibiotics have no preventive effect.

Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria that are already present. There is therefore no need to take antibiotics to prevent disease. There are only a few exceptional cases where it may be necessary to give antibiotics before the disease develops: for example, people in close contact with a patient with bacterial meningitis. Discuss this with your doctor.

Dear vet,
my cat has a cold, can antibiotics help?

18/28
No, because antibiotics do not work against all infections.

If your cat sneezes, it can have several causes. And if it’s an infection, it’s likely to be viral. Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria, not viruses. So there is no need to give antibiotics.

Dear vet,
is my budgie also affected by antibiotic resistance?

19/28
Yes, this applies to both humans and animals.

The problem of antibiotic resistance affects many sectors: human health, animal health and also the environment. Animals also carry bacteria that are potentially resistant and that complicate the treatment of infections.

Dear vet,
if my dog is treated with antibiotics, are there any additional hygiene measures that need to be taken?

20/28
Yes, because if your pet carries resistant bacteria, it can transmit them.

Good hygiene, such as washing your hands after contact with your dog, is always important, especially when he/she is being treated with antibiotics. Good hygiene is essential! This is even more important for certain people at risk, for example pregnant women, the elderly, immunocompromised people and children.

Dear vet,
can I go straight to the pharmacy and get antibiotics for my cat?

21/28
No, you must have a prescription from your vet.

Only a vet can tell if your pet needs antibiotics. For this, the vet must examine your pet and understand the cause of its illness. That’s why you can’t get antibiotics directly from your pharmacist.

Dear vet,
my cat has the same symptoms as last year, may I use the remaining antibiotics?

22/28
No, you should always have the advice of your vet before giving antibiotics.

Even if the symptoms seem identical, you cannot know if it is exactly the same disease, and therefore if it is useful to give antibiotics. Only your vet can decide, based on the diagnosis. Giving your pet antibiotics when it doesn’t need them is harmful to its health, and contributes to the phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance.

Dear vet,
my dog has diarrhoea, should I give him/her antibiotics?

23/28
No, it is very rare that animals with diarrhoea need antibiotics.

Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria. And in most cases, it is not bacteria that causes diarrhoea. So there is no point in giving them to your pet, especially as antibiotics can upset the balance of the intestinal flora, which in the long run reinforces the problem.

Dear vet,
could antibiotics used in animals lead to resistance in bacteria infectious to humans?

24/28
Yes, some bacteria do not distinguish between animals and humans.

Some bacteria are transmitted from animals to humans, and vice versa. Similarly, some bacteria can pass on resistance traits to each other. To limit these risks, it is important to maintain good hygiene and to wash your hands after contact with your pet, especially when it is sick.

Dear doctor,
i have a tick bite. Should I take a course of antibiotics now?

25/28
No, antibiotics do not work preventively.

Antibiotics do not work preventively, not even for Lyme disease. The likelihood of contracting Lyme disease after receiving a tick bite is 2-3%. That likelihood will be reduced by half if the tick is removed within a few hours. The best way to do that is by grasping the tick's head with pointed tweezers as close to the skin as possible and gently pulling it out. Do not use alcohol, iodine, oil or other agents before removing the tick. An expanding red skin lesion at the site of the tick bite (erythema migrans) is a manifestation of Lyme disease. If you notice this, consult your doctor immediately and discuss the right treatment.

Dear doctor,
i have toothache and I think I have an abscess. Is it best to take antibiotics?

26/28
If you have toothache, the best thing you can do is go to the dentist right away.

If you have an infection in your mouth, whatever is causing the infection will need to be addressed. In the case of abscesses in the mouth, antibiotics are rarely indicated. Your dentist will identify where the pain and/or the cause of the abscess is coming from and carry out appropriate dental treatment to relieve you of your pain and/or infection.

Dear doctor,
i've got a bit of a cough. Can I still visit my grandmother in the retirement home?

27/28
Do not visit people at risk if you are sick yourself or have shown symptoms of illness in the past three days.

If you have symptoms that could indicate an infection, such as a runny nose, a cough, a sore throat, vomiting or diarrhoea, you may be contagious. The consequences of an infection are also more severe in elderly and other vulnerable people. If you cannot wait before visiting, you must follow these few pieces of advice: avoid physical contact, wash or sanitise your hands when entering the room and after coughing or sneezing. As such, you will prevent bacteria from spreading.

Dear vet,
my foal has diarrhoea, should we give it antibiotics?

28/28
No, it is rare for animals with diarrhoea to need antibiotics.

Antibiotics only work against bacteria. In most cases, diarrhoea is not caused by bacteria, so it's not a good idea to give antibiotics to your foal right away. The main reason for this is because antibiotics can upset the balance of its intestinal flora, which will worsen the problem in the long run.

The questions

Why don’t I get antibiotics for my flu?
May I also have an antibiotics prescription for my husband?
Can I accelerate my child’s recovery with the help of antibiotics?
Are antibiotics still useful if some of them are becoming less effective?
May I be treated even if the infection is caused by resistant bacteria?
I had a rash during a course of antibiotics, may I never use antibiotics again?
Is it true that bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics?
I have been told not to take antibiotics too often, why?
What do I do with the antibiotics left in my medicine cabinet at home?
Is it serious if I don’t finish my treatment?
Can I use the antibiotics I have left from another time?
Is it true that traces of antibiotics can be found in rivers?
I have a wound or skin infection, is it a good idea to use an antibiotic ointment?
I have the same symptoms as last time, can you advance me a box of antibiotics?
I have been told not to take antibiotics too often, why?
How can we use less antibiotics?
Can antibiotics prevent me from getting sick?
My cat has a cold, can antibiotics help?
Is my budgie also affected by antibiotic resistance?
If my dog is treated with antibiotics, are there any additional hygiene measures that need to be taken?
Can I go straight to the pharmacy and get antibiotics for my cat?
My cat has the same symptoms as last year, may I use the remaining antibiotics?
My dog has diarrhoea, should I give him/her antibiotics?
Could antibiotics used in animals lead to resistance in bacteria infectious to humans?
I have a tick bite. Should I take a course of antibiotics now?
I have toothache and I think I have an abscess. Is it best to take antibiotics?
I've got a bit of a cough. Can I still visit my grandmother in the retirement home?
My foal has diarrhoea, should we give it antibiotics?
Show more questions
10 misconceptions about taking antibiotics.
Find out more here