Northwestern medicine antibiotic stewardship public resource page

This page is intended for people in the Chicago area looking for general information about antibiotic resistance, stewardship, side effects of antibiotics, and more. This webpage should not be used as medical advice. Talk to your care team if you have concerns about an infection.

​Antibiotics can save lives. But if we do not use them carefully, they can stop working. You should not take antibiotics if you don't need them or "just in case." That will help ensure they will work when you do need them.

More Information and Frequently Asked Questions

What is antibiotic Resistance?

Antibiotics are designed to kill germs called bacteria. Over time, bacteria can evolve to learn how to survive antibiotic treatment. This is called antibiotic resistance. This means that bacteria can continue to grow and multiply. The infections they cause become much harder to treat. 
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View a video from the National Institute of Health (NIH) on antibiotic resistance.

​WHY IS ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE A PROBLEM?

• Longer hospital stays: People may need to stay in the hospital longer because it is harder to treat infections caused by resistant bacteria. 

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• Higher healthcare costs: We need to use more expensive medications and keep patients in the hospital longer. 

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• Limited treatment options: Some antibiotics no longer work against certain bacteria. Some bacteria are so strong that we do not have many medications that can help.
  

• Increased risk of death: Without medications to treat certain infections, some people die. ​

​WHAT IS ANTIBIOTIC STEWARDSHIP?

Antibiotic stewardship is the work we do to improve how people use antibiotics. If we work together, we can reduce antibiotic resistance. That will help everyone stay healthy because antibiotics will still work against bacteria.

HOW CAN I HELP PREVENT antibiotic resistance?

Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat across the world. With the right knowledge and actions, we can help prevent it. By learning about antibiotic resistance, you can play an important role in antibiotic stewardship. You can help protect your health and the health of others.

Understand antibiotic resistance.
We need everyone to understand what is at stake and how they can help. We can all play a role in making sure antibiotics keep working for everyone.  

Use antibiotics the right way. Antibiotics are often overused or misused. This can lead to antibiotic resistance.

• You should only take antibiotics for infections caused by bacteria. Antibiotics do NOT work on viruses. That means an antibiotic cannot cure a cold, flu or COVID-19, for example.
• You should only take antibiotics when prescribed.
• Never share antibiotics with other people.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A TRUE ALLERGY TO PENICILLIN?

About 1 out of 10 people report they have a penicillin allergy. However, less than 1 out of 100 are truly allergic.

• Many allergies are diagnosed in childhood. This often happens because of a rash that may have been caused by a virus, not an allergy.
• Most people lose even severe allergies over time.
• Ten years after the allergy was reported, 8 in 10 people are no longer allergic.
• People with a penicillin allergy label in their medical record are at higher risk of:
  • C. difficile diarrhea infection
  • Infections after surgery
  • Carrying antibiotic-resistant bacteria  

​How to get tested for a penicillin allergy  
Most people with a penicillin allergy recorded in their medical record can take penicillin and similar antibiotics after they have an evaluation for the allergy. Some patients with a history of an allergic reaction to penicillin can have penicillin allergy skin testing.

If you have a history of an allergic rection to penicillin, ask your physician how you can get tested.
Source: Am I Allergic to Penicillin? | Infectious Diseases | JAMA | JAMA Network​

DO ANTIBIOTICS HAVE SIDE EFFECTS?

Antibiotics can have side effects depending on which drug, including:

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and sensitivity to the sun
• Damage to the kidneys
• Causing resistant bacteria
• Infectious diarrhea

​HOW DO I TALK TO MY DOCTOR ABOUT ANTIBIOTICS AND RESISTANCE?

​​You can ask your care team:

• Is this a bacterial infection? Can you explain what kind of infection I have?
• Does this infection always require antibiotics?
  • Could we try managing my symptoms for this type of infection instead of treating with antibiotics?

​Some bacterial infections can make you very sick if you do not get treatment. If your care team recommends antibiotics during this discussion, please take them as prescribed.

Learn more from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Antibiotics Aren’t Always the Answer.

Do I really have a uti?

If you have bacteria in your urine, you do not necessarily have an infection. Look for signs or symptoms.

Symptoms of a UTI:

• New urinary frequency or urgency​
• New pain with urination​
• Flank pain, fevers

NOT Symptoms of a UTI:

• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine​
• Confusion or delirium​
• A fall

What is C. diff diarrhea Infection?

• One complication from antibiotic use is the development of an infectious diarrhea called C. difficile, or C. diff.
• More than 9 out of 10 cases of C. diff occur in older patients.
• Diarrhea is a common side effect of antibiotic use. C. diff infection causes really bad diarrhea. It is watery and happens more than 3 times per day. If you have these symptoms, contact your care team.
• Some people test positive for C. diff but do not have a lot of diarrhea. This still means the bacteria is present even if it does not cause symptoms, but does not need to be treated.

CDC AND OTHER Handout MaterIals

• ​Tips for Being a Safe Patient ​
• Viruses or Bacteria – What’s got you sick? 
• Improving Antibiotic Use 
• Antibiotics Aren’t Always the Answer 
• You’ve Been Prescribed an Antibiotic 
• Healthy Habits: Antibiotic Do’s and Don'ts 
• ​CDC Antimicrobial Resistance Resource Site

Handouts:

• Word Searches (Basic and Advanced)
• Coloring Sheets
• Handout for NM Stewardship
  
• Antibiotic Risks Handout

CONTACT US

Send us any outstanding questions about antibiotic resistance!