Bacteria are tiny organisms not visible with the human eye. Most bacteria are helpful to us; some are harmful and cause infections. An antibiotic is a prescription drug that can kill or disable disease-causing bacteria.
Antibiotic resistance happens when microbes (germs) develop ways to survive the use of medicines meant to kill or weaken them. There are many bacteria that have developed resistance to antibiotics used to treat the infections caused by them. Some of the more common bacteria that are sometimes resistant are Staphylococcus aureus ("Staph"), Streptococcus pneumoniae ("pneumococcus"), Mycobacterium tuberculosis ("TB"), and Enterococcus.
Colds and flu are caused by viruses. Taking antibiotics when you have a virus may do more harm than good. On this page you can learn when antibiotics are appropriate and what bugs -like MRSA - are resistant to antibiotics.
The documents on this page are designed to help prevent and stop or reduce the spread of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infections in middle and high schools. It contains materials targeted to the … more
The "Iowa Gets Smart-Know When Antibiotics Work" curriculum was developed for school nurses. The materials target parents of school-aged children 14 and younger, with the intent … more
This page contains information and resources for health care providers including an MRSA treatment flow chart, upper respiratory tract treatment guidelines EPI Manual links, and materials available through the CADE clearinghouse.
The goals of the Iowa Antibiotic Resistance Task Force are to facilitate appropriate use of antibiotics, discourage prescribing practices that promote the development of antibiotic … more
