When Antibiotics Help and When They Don’t

Five surprising facts about antibiotics and what Aspirus Health is doing to fight resistance.

Antibiotics are among the most powerful tools in modern medicine, yet they are often used when they aren’t needed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least one in three antibiotic prescriptions in the United States is unnecessary. Misuse and overuse can lead to antibiotic resistance, making infections harder to treat and putting lives at risk.

 

“Antibiotics are very strong medications and absolutely essential. It’s all our responsibility to use them appropriately,” said Kelly Zander, Antimicrobial Stewardship Coordinator at Aspirus Health.

 

During U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (November 18–24), Aspirus Health is encouraging patients to understand when antibiotics are helpful, when they aren’t, and how to use them safely to protect their effectiveness.

 

1. Antibiotics aren’t always the answer

 “Antibiotics only work for bacterial infections. They don’t help with viral illnesses such as colds, flu, or COVID-19,” said Zander.

 

 Antibiotics are appropriate for bacterial conditions such as urinary tract infections, strep throat, and certain types of pneumonia. Taking them when they aren’t needed will not help you recover faster and can lead to side effects and increased antibiotic resistance.

 

2. Taking antibiotics “just in case” can do more harm than good
When antibiotics are taken unnecessarily, they destroy the healthy bacteria your body needs.

 

 “This increases your risk of side effects like diarrhea or rash and contributes to antibiotic resistance in the community,” said Zander.

 

3. A single course can affect gut health for months
Antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria. This can disrupt your gut microbiome for weeks or even months, which may affect digestion, immunity, and overall well-being.

 

4. Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health concern

 Each year in the United States, nearly three million antibiotic-resistant infections occur, resulting in more than 35,000 deaths, according to the CDC. Without improvements in how antibiotics are prescribed and taken, experts warn that resistant infections could eventually cause as many global deaths as cancer.

 

5. Everyone has a role in preserving the power of antibiotics

 The Aspirus Antimicrobial Stewardship Program ensures antibiotics are used only when necessary and always in the right way. The program monitors prescribing patterns, provides staff education, and supports best practices across all Aspirus locations.

 

 Patients and community members also play an important role by taking antibiotics only as prescribed, never sharing leftover medication, and helping prevent infections through handwashing and staying up to date on vaccines.

 

Patients are encouraged to talk with their Aspirus provider or pharmacist about when antibiotics are appropriate and how to use them safely. Working together, we can protect the effectiveness of these life-saving medications for generations to come.

 

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