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Antibiotics

Be Antibiotics Aware: Smart Use, Best Care

The "Be Antibiotics Aware: Smart Use, Best Care Campaign" is CDC’s national educational effort to improve antibiotic prescribing among healthcare providers, educate the public about appropriate use of antibiotics, and combat antibiotic resistance.

Did You Know?

We Are Antibiotics Aware

  • 2019 marked the 5th anniversary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Public Health’s active participation in this Campaign!
  • Antibiotic resistance – when bacteria stop responding to the drugs designed to kill them – may be the single most important infectious disease threat of our time.
  • We risk turning back the clock to a world where simple infections can kill people as they did a century ago because we have no way to treat them.
  • Antibiotics are the most important tool we have to combat many life-threatening bacterial diseases.
  • Patients, healthcare providers, hospital administrators, and policy makers must work together to employ effective strategies for improving appropriate antibiotic use – ultimately saving lives.

To limit antibiotic resistance, DPH is warning the public and providers to be aware that:

  • Antibiotics do not cure viruses, such as those causing colds or flu, most coughs and bronchitis, runny nose, and sore throats not caused by strep.
  • Increased antibiotic resistance is compromising the effectiveness of antibiotics.
  • Patients, healthcare providers, hospital administrators and policy makers must work together to employ effective strategies for improving appropriate antibiotic use - ultimately saving lives.

In celebration of U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week, DPH’s Be Antibiotics Aware Campaign is sponsoring an artwork competition. Students from grades K–12 statewide are invited to submit artwork regarding antibiotic awareness, and nine winners will be selected. To learn more please see the following link:

Antibiotic Awareness Artwork Competition 2020 (PDF) Spanish (PDF)

 

2020 Artwork Competition Winners

Be Antibiotics Aware: Smart Use, Best Care Campaign Competition Winner

2019 Artwork Competition Winners

2017 Artwork Competition Winners

2016 Artwork Competition Winners

Current Resources

6 Smart Facts: The NC Get Smart Campaign created a useful handout for patients describing key facts on antibiotics and infections.

6 Smart Facts

Adult patients and caregivers such as parents. This brochure is planned for use in doctor's offices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. It is intended to raise awareness about the right way to take antibiotics and answer questions on when antibiotics are needed and when they are not. It also provides guidance on how to stay healthy.

Antibiotics Aren't Always the Answer Poster

 

CDC Appropriate Antibiotic Use Materials

To receive printed versions of these materials, email nchai@dhhs.nc.gov.

Educational Resources

School-age Curriculum

Medical/Professional School Curriculum

Continuing Education/Educational Resources for Healthcare Professionals


NCDHHS