Antibiotic resistance facts and figures

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria that can make you sick change so that the antibiotics used to treat them do not work as well.

22.8 million antibiotic prescriptions dispensed by Canadian pharmacies in 2013.

Bacterial viral (bacterial is circled) Antibiotics are only effective in treating only bacterial infections, not viral infections like the common cold or flu.

The number of infections that are resistant to antibiotic treatment is increasing.

Few new antibiotics are being developed.

Sometimes it happens naturally, but what else can cause antibiotic resistance?

• Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in both humans and animals.
• Taking antibiotics for an infection that is not caused by bacteria.
• Not taking your antibiotics as prescribed.
• Self-medicating or antibiotic sharing.

To learn more visit: canada.ca/antibiotics