THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IS REMINDING THAT ANTIBIOTICS AREN’T ALWAYS THE ANSWER WHEN YOU’RE SICK. 

YOU START FEELING CRUMMY AND HEAD TO THE DOCTOR FOR SOME ANTIBIOTICS. BUT THEY AREN’T USUALLY APPROPRIATE WHEN YOU HAVE A COLD, THE FLU OR A SORE THROAT SINCE THOSE ILLNESSES ARE CAUSED BY VIRUSES SAYS PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR DOCTOR NGOZI EZIKE.

ABOUT 30 PERCENT OF ANTIBIOTICS PRESCRIBED AREN’T REALLY NEEDED SAYS EZIKE…AND THAT’S CAUSING A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

EZIKE SAYS ANTIBIOTICS ARE TYPICALLY USED TO TREAT STREP THROAT AND URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS, AND SOMETIMES BRONCHITIS AND EAR AND SINUS INFECTIONS.