Three Key Messages

1. Wash your hands! Handwashing is the best way to stop the spread of infections.

How to wash your hands:

• Use plain soap and water. Rub your hands together for 20 seconds with plain soap and rinse for 10 seconds.
• Do not use antibacterial soap. These products lead to antibiotic resistance.
• Dry your hands with a towel.
• If soap and water are not available AND if your hands are not dirty or greasy, you can use alcohol-based hand rubs to sanitize your hands. Wash hands with plain soap and water as soon as you can.

When to wash your hands:

• Before eating or preparing food.
• After using the toilet.
• Before and after changing diapers.
• After blowing your nose.
• After handling shared objects.
• Before handling contact lenses.
• Before flossing your teeth.

You can make a difference!

• Expect doctors, dentists, nurses and therapists to wash their hands before they examine you or your children.
• Makes sure plain soap is available in your child's school, your workplace, and places where you eat.
• Teach by example.

2. Not all bugs are created equal. Both viruses and bacteria cause infections, but antibiotics only work against bacteria.

Viral infections:

• Colds, flu, croup, laryngitis, chest colds (bronchitis) and most sore throats are caused by viruses.
• Are more contagious than bacterial infections. If more than one person in your family has the same illness, it is most likely a viral infection.
• Can make you just a sick as bacterial infections.
• Usually get better in 4-5 days but it may take as long as three weeks to fully recover.
• Antibiotics do not work against viruses.

Bacterial infections:

• Are less common than viral infections.
• Do not spread as easily from one person to another as viral infections.
• Cause infections such as pneumonia and strep throat.
• Antibiotics do work against most bacteria.

3. Antibiotic resistance is a problem. Use antibiotics wisely.

What is antibiotic resistance?

• Using antibiotics when you don't need them (for example, colds and flu) can lead to antibiotic resistance.
• Bacteria have "antibiotic resistance" when they cannot be killed by antibiotics.
• Remember it is the bacteria that are resistant - NOT YOU!
• Even very healthy people who have never taken antibiotics can become infected with antibiotic resistant bacteria from others.

What can you do?

• Do not expect an antibiotic for most respiratory infections. Most respiratory infections are due to viruses.
• Trust your doctor if an antibiotic has not been prescribed.
• Wash your hands to prevent the spread of infections.