Bacteria are able to adapt in such a way that antibiotics are no longer effective. So it is not people who become resistant, but bacteria. Resistant bacteria can prolong or even prevent treatment. It is important for us all to be better informed about the correct use of antibiotics…find out more

If you have any questions or are unsure how to take the antibiotics, or if you’ve missed one or more doses of antibiotics, you should contact your doctor or pharmacist. Antibiotics are (prescription-only) drugs that are prescribed to treat bacterial infections or inflammation. Whether or not an infection needs to be treated depends on the patient’s symptoms or the results of laboratory and/or diagnostic tests. Not all bacterial infections need to be treated with antibiotics. The body’s natural defences can cope with many bladder and ear infections on their own – without the help of antibiotics…find out more

Taking antibiotics incorrectly can lead to bacteria becoming resistant. Existing antibiotics then become useless against resistant bacteria, making the treatment of infectious diseases more difficult or even impossible. Take the exact dose prescribed by the doctor and for the specified length of time. Taking the dose that was prescribed for you guarantees that your antibiotic has the optimum effect. Don’t stop the treatment early, even if you feel better after a few days…find out more

Forgetting a dose can prolong the infection, which would have a negative effect on your recovery. If you experience side effects that make you want to stop the treatment, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

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Never share antibiotics prescribed for you with other people. Your course of treatment has been prescribed specifically for you to meet your individual needs.

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Never dispose of antibiotics in household waste. This helps to ensure that they don’t end up in the environment (e.g. in waste water). Don’t keep any left-over antibiotics to use in case you get ill again.

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Both children and adults can protect themselves against a number of viral and bacterial infections by being vaccinated. This helps to reduce antibiotic consumption and the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Having a viral diseases puts you at risk of secondary bacterial infections. If high-risk patients are vaccinated in time, the probability of a disease involving infectious pathogens is much lower. If fewer primary and secondary infections occur, there is less need to prescribe antibiotics. Similarly, potential complications caused by existing or newly resistant bacteria in these target groups are kept in check by vaccination…find out more

In some countries the problem of antibiotic resistance is greater than in Switzerland. People who have been abroad can unwittingly bring back antibiotic-resistant bacteria – especially if they were hospitalised during their travels. Anyone who is referred to a hospital or clinic within 12 months of their return to Switzerland should tell the medical staff that they have been abroad. Early detection of resistant bacteria helps to prevent their spread and makes it easier to identify the best course of treatment…find out more