This year, Antibiotic Awareness Week is No. 13-19. Antibiotic resistance happens when germs no longer respond to an antibiotic. Because of that resistance, many infections are becoming harder to treat and may lead to higher health care costs and longer hospital stays.

Improper antibiotic use is a major cause of antibiotic resistance. It is important to remember that antibiotics treat bacterial infections and do not work on viruses. Antibiotics also won’t help for some common bacterial infections, including most cases of bronchitis, many sinus infections, and some ear infections. When antibiotics aren’t needed, they won’t help you and the side effects could still hurt you.

Antibiotic resistance is one of the most urgent threats to the public’s health. The public can prevent the spread of infections by cleaning hands, covering coughs, staying home when sick, practicing safe sex, getting recommended vaccines and talking with their doctors about when antibiotics are not needed.

When a person is prescribed antibiotics, they should take them exactly as prescribed by the doctor and not share or use leftover antibiotics.

Jennifer Liao, Augusta

Editor’s note: Liao is the antibiotic resistance coordinator for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.