Health tip: Why antibiotic resistance is serious

Updated:

Latest Health NewsThe Latest from HealthDayMore>>
Scientists turn skin cells into cardiac cells to help failing hearts
Scientists turn skin cells into cardiac cells to help failing hearts
In a medical science first, researchers turned skin cells from heart failure patients into heart muscle cells that may then be used to fix damaged cardiac tissue.More >>
In a medical science first, researchers turned skin cells from heart failure patients into heart muscle cells that may then be used to fix damaged cardiac tissue.More >>
Body building, diet supplements linked to liver damage
Body building, diet supplements linked to liver damage
Body-building and weight-loss products are the types of dietary supplements most likely to cause liver injury, according to a small new study.More >>
Body-building and weight-loss products are the types of dietary supplements most likely to cause liver injury, according to a small new study.More >>
Study ties genes to lower urinary tract symptoms, prostate cancer risk
Study ties genes to lower urinary tract symptoms, prostate cancer risk
Certain gene variants linked to prostate cancer may make men more susceptible to lower urinary tract symptoms, according to a new study. More >>
Certain gene variants linked to prostate cancer may make men more susceptible to lower urinary tract symptoms, according to a new study. On the other hand, a different gene variant might protect against those symptoms.More >>
Colonoscopy may detect curable cancer in elderly
Colonoscopy may detect curable cancer in elderly
Colonoscopies helped doctors detect a high rate of curable cancer in elderly people who had the screening for the first time, a new study indicates.More >>
Colonoscopies helped doctors detect a high rate of curable cancer in elderly people who had the screening for the first time, a new study indicates.More >>
Injury-linked deaths vary widely among states
Injury-linked deaths vary widely among states
New Mexico has the highest rate of injury-related deaths in the United States, while New Jersey has the lowest rate, according to a new report.More >>
New Mexico has the highest rate of injury-related deaths in the United States, while New Jersey has the lowest rate, according to a new report.More >>

(HealthDay News) -- Antibiotic resistance occurs when a bacterium mutates and becomes immune to the effects of a specific antibiotic.

You can help prevent antibiotic resistance by taking an antibiotic regimen only when necessary. Remember that antibiotics don't work against viral infections such as a cold or the flu.

If you do begin taking an antibiotic, you should never skip a dose. Also, you should finish the entire amount that your doctor has prescribed, despite the fact that you might be feeling better.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says antibiotic-resistant bacteria are dangerous because:

It may be difficult to find a medication that kills the bacteria.
Resistant bacteria tend to spread more quickly between families and within communities.
Infections become more difficult and more expensive to treat.
People may die from a resistant infection before it can be treated successfully.

HealthHEALTHMore>>
Health experts: Anonymity of social media helps spread HIV
Health experts: Anonymity of social media helps spread HIV
Updated: Wednesday, May 23 2012 6:17 PM EDT2012-05-23 22:17:36 GMT
Technology can be great but also dangerous as many have seen with cellphones and distracted driving. Now something else you access on your cellphone can be dangerous. From Facebook to Twitter to Craigslist,More >>
Now something else you access on your cellphone can be dangerous. From Facebook to Twitter to Craigslist, social networking is the reason health officials say they're seeing a lot more cases of HIV.More >>
Task force: Prostate exams do more harm than good
Task force: Prostate exams do more harm than good
Updated: Wednesday, May 23 2012 12:03 PM EDT2012-05-23 16:03:42 GMT
CNN - A national medical panel advises against men using the Prostate-Specific Antigen test for cancer screening. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has announced its final recommendations. TheMore >>
A national medical panel advises against men using the Prostate-Specific Antigen test for cancer screening.More >>
New prostate exam guidelines
New prostate exam guidelines
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises against men using the prostate-specific antigen test for cancer screening. The panel found the PSA blood test unreliable, resulting in too many false positives.More >>

HealthMore>>
Scientists turn skin cells into cardiac cells to help failing hearts
Scientists turn skin cells into cardiac cells to help failing hearts
In a medical science first, researchers turned skin cells from heart failure patients into heart muscle cells that may then be used to fix damaged cardiac tissue.More >>
In a medical science first, researchers turned skin cells from heart failure patients into heart muscle cells that may then be used to fix damaged cardiac tissue.More >>
Do bald men face higher risk of prostate cancer?
Do bald men face higher risk of prostate cancer?
Got hair? If you don't, you might have a higher risk of prostate cancer, a preliminary study suggests.More >>
Got hair? If you don't, you might have a higher risk of prostate cancer, a preliminary study suggests.More >>
U.S. teens heading for heart trouble
U.S. teens heading for heart trouble
Many American teenagers, including some with a normal, healthy weight, already have one or more risk factors for heart disease, researchers say.More >>
Many American teenagers, including some with a normal, healthy weight, already have one or more risk factors for heart disease, researchers say.More >>
Drowning is leading cause of kids' accidental death
Drowning is leading cause of kids' accidental death
Drowning kills more American children 1 to 4 years old than any cause except birth defects, according to a new federal report.More >>
Drowning kills more American children 1 to 4 years old than any cause except birth defects, according to a new federal report.More >>
Body building, diet supplements linked to liver damage
Body building, diet supplements linked to liver damage
Body-building and weight-loss products are the types of dietary supplements most likely to cause liver injury, according to a small new study.More >>
Body-building and weight-loss products are the types of dietary supplements most likely to cause liver injury, according to a small new study.More >>

*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.

WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.Health tip: Why antibiotic resistance is serious

Health tip: Why antibiotic resistance is serious

Latest Health NewsThe Latest from HealthDayMore>>

All health tipsMore>>

HealthHEALTHMore>>

HealthMore>>

Explore WSFA.com