| Every year, U.S. doctors write 50 million unnecessary prescriptions - including almost 17 million to treat the common cold. |
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| More than 30% of the antibiotic prescriptions that doctors write for kids under age six are for viral infections. |
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| Says one doctor, "For many patients, antibiotics are a tangible symbol that their cough, sore throat, or ear infection will soon disappear. They expect to be given a prescription when they leave their doctor’s office. Doctors don’t take time to explain why antibiotics aren’t in the patient’s best interest. It’s quicker to just write a prescription." |
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| Antibiotics do not cure viral infections like head colds, the flu, sore throats, or most ear infections. They only work on bacterial infections. |
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| Antibiotics do not prevent viral infections from becoming bacterial infections. |
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| Using antibiotics when you don’t have to results in the growth of "superbugs" and "superinfections" that can’t be treated. |
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| In some parts of the U.S., 40% of pneumonia and 90% of staph are resistant to penicillin amid other antibiotics. |
| Sources: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; American Medical News, Vol. 41, No. 21. | |