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‘Get Smart About Antibiotics’ Week kicks off today

Nov. 12–18 is “Get Smart About Antibiotics” Week, which is meant to raise awareness about the threat of antibiotic resistance and the need to decrease inappropriate antibiotic use, according to the CDC.

Results of a recent HealthStyles survey indicated that 38% of adults expressed a desire for antibiotic treatment when seeking health care for the common cold (CDC, unpublished data, 2012). Therefore, the Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work and Get Smart for Health care programs are working together to educate consumers and healthcare providers in outpatient and inpatient settings about appropriate use of antibiotics, according to the CDC.

Go to www.cdc.gov/getsmart for more information on appropriate use of antibiotics and how to participate in Get Smart About Antibiotics Week.