Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern. Handwashing prevents the spread of germs.
Antibiotics don’t cure viral infections like colds, flu, or bronchitis.
But, hand washing stops the spread of germs.
So, let your doctor decide when antibiotics are needed.
Keep antibiotics working!
Every time a person takes antibiotics, sensitive bacteria are killed but resistant bacteria may be left to grow and multiply.
Using antibiotics often and misusing them (not finishing all of a prescription) leads to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Bacteria that develop ways to survive against antibiotics are called antibiotic-resistant bacteria; routine antibiotics will not kill them.
Resistant bacteria are sometimes called “super bugs.”
Infections caused by “super bugs” can be more severe and harder to treat.
“Super bugs” can be dangerous to your family and to your community because they can be passed from person-to-person the same way that
other bacteria are spread.
Using antibiotics wisely is the best way to control resistance.
More about antibiotic resistance
Stop Antibiotic Misuse in Minnesota (MARC) Keep Antibiotics Working! Antibiotics are powerful medicines for fighting infections, but they don't cure every illness. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed - or not completing the prescription given by your child's health care provider - can even be harmful. Find out more about antibiotic resistance on the Minnesota Antibiotic Resistance Collaborative website. Non-MDH link
Antimicrobial Resistance
Information about Antimicrobial Resistance in Minnesota. Includes information on antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, the compilation of antimicrobial susceptibilities of selected pathogens, and antimicrobial resistance in healthcare settings.
“Hand Washing is the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection”
- CDC
Spotlight
Which Soap is Best?
Antibacterial soap vs. plain soap: Which is better? Liquid soap or bar soap? What about alcohol-based hand sanitizers?
Hand Hygiene Print Materials
Signs, posters, brochures, manuals, curricula, and other hand hygiene materials that you can print and use.
Clean Your Hands! Poster This 11x17 poster shows the six steps for washing hands with soap and water or two for cleaning with alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
Note:If soap and water are not available, use
hand sanitizer. Wash your hands with soap and water
when your hands are visibly soiled.
Food handlers in restaurants, schools, delis and grocery stores must wash their hands with soap and water
before applying hand sanitizers. [Minn Rules Chap. 4626.0070 - 4626.0085]
See Hand Hygiene for Food Handlers for more information.
