Antibiotics are powerful medicines used to fight bacterial infections and have been used to nearly eradicate certain diseases, but sometimes too much of a good thing can lead to overuse. Routine overuse has led to alarming rates of infections caused by bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

Part of taking action against antibiotic resistance begins with knowing if you’re at risk and knowing what questions to ask your doctor when a situation arises. When you are prescribed an antibiotic, consider discussing the questions below with your doctor to educate yourself and ensure you are being treated correctly.

• What bacteria is causing my infection? Is this a viral infection?
• Can my symptoms improve without an antibiotic?
• Are there safer options to treat my infection?
• What can I do to help with my symptoms?
• When should I expect to start feeling better?
• What are some things I should look for in case I need an antibiotic later?

You and your doctor should review the answers to these questions every time you are diagnosed with an infection. Your health is in your hands, take action to learn as much as you can to protect yourself from antibiotic resistance.