We all have a role to play in preventing antimicrobial resistance. Patients, healthcare providers, hospital administrators, industry, policy makers and the general public can work together to promote appropriate antimicrobial use – ultimately saving lives.

Antibiotics are important medications that really help when we need them. Yet, taking antibiotics when they're not needed can be harmful.

Most infections are caused by two main kinds of germs, bacteria and viruses. Antibiotics cure infections caused by bacteria; however they have no effect against infections caused by viruses, like a cold or the flu. Taking antibiotics for a cold or the flu is unnecessary and expensive. It also helps cause a serious problem; antibiotic resistance. Learn more...

Since antibiotics have no effect against infections caused by viruses, like a cold, cough or the flu, what can you do if you or your child is suffering from a virus?

Oregon AWARE and the Oregon Health Authority have developed treatment guides that share ways to help relieve common virus symptoms. See recommended treatment guides ...

Health care providers should be aware that patient satisfaction is increased as providers spend more effort educating them about self-care and symptom management. Research shows that adverse health outcomes are rare when health care providers conservatively prescribe antibiotics.

Oregon Alliance Working for Antibiotic Resistance Education provides several tools for health care practitioners to assist them in the judicious use of antibiotics. Resources include; treatment algorithms, topic relevant articles and materials to help educate patients. Learn more...

Educators are an important partner in the AWARE coalition’s activities to promote judicious use of antibiotics.

Oregon AWARE has many community education resources that teach about antibiotic use. Activities that have been designed by AWARE and AWARE partners to explain the key issues and concerns about antibiotic resistance to appropriate age groups. Learn more...

Day care centers are a common place for viruses and bacterial infections where germs pass easily among children and providers. Primarily because personal contact in these settings is very common and difficult to control.

Antibiotics are generally used to combat bacterial infections, however antibiotic use is so common (sometimes inappropriately prescribed) in young populations, that their care centers are often ideal settings for drug-resistant strains of bacteria to emerge. AWARE provides resources to childcare providers and parents of children to help combat antibiotic resistance. Learn more...