Antibiotic Prescribing and Use in Doctor’s Offices
Antibiotic resistance is one of the most serious public health problems in the United States and threatens to return us to the time when simple infections were often fatal. CDC works to improve antibiotic prescribing and use in human health care, and educate patients about the importance of appropriate use. When we optimize how we use and prescribe these drugs, we protect patients from harm and combat antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotics have transformed our ability to treat infections, but they do not work as well as they once did against some infections...
Information on when common illnesses need antibiotics and ways to lessen your symptoms if antibiotics are not needed...
Outpatient and inpatient healthcare providers, as well as community pharmacists, all play a role in fighting antibiotic resistance...
Evidence-based ways to increase appropriate antibiotic prescribing in outpatient settings...
Information on about starting or promoting appropriate antibiotic use in your community...
A look at state, national, and international efforts to track antibiotic-resistant infections and implement interventions to curb this growing threat...
CDC works with a wide-range of partners to raise awareness about the threat of antibiotic resistance...
Use these materials (fact sheets, posters) and other tools (podcasts, social media messages, graphics) to spread the word about using antibiotics wisely...
U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week is an annual observance to raise awareness of the threat of antibiotic resistance and the importance of appropriate antibiotic prescribing and use. Join CDC and partners as we celebrate the effort to combat the spread of antibiotic resistance and improve patient safety.
Information for patients on antibiotic use and resistance in Spanish.

Test your knowledge by trying your hand at this quiz about antibiotics and antibiotic resistance.