While they are certainly needed to help us recover from certain types of infections, antibiotics should be limited whenever possible. During this  Antibiotic Awareness Week, we should all be aware of the issues and problems linked to using antibiotics unnecessarily.

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Overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance causing unneeded harm to our body and making it more difficult for our body to fight off infections.  According to the World Health Organization, a growing list of infections – such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, blood poisoning, gonorrhea, and food-borne diseases – are becoming harder, and sometimes impossible, to treat as antibiotics become less effective.

Antibiotic resistance leads to higher medical costs, prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality. Here is how to avoid antibiotic overuse.

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    BVDC/ Getty Stock / ThinkStock, ThinkStock
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    UNNECESSARY PRESCRIPTIONS

    The CDC says at least 30% of prescribed antibiotics are unnecessary. Antibiotics are important tools to use when it comes to saving someone's life or to treat serious infections. If you or someone you know if not suffering from a serious medical issue, sometimes letting your body heal itself without medication is the best thing you can do. Listen to your medical provider's advice.

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    Getty Images/Wavebreak Media/Getty Stock / ThinkStock
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    ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE INFECTIONS

    When our bodies become resistant to certain drugs,  bacteria form which prevent the antibiotics from doing their intended job. When the bacteria begin to form, they can cause infections leading to our health to decrease.

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    www.jupiterimages.com/Getty Stock / ThinkStock
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    HEALING WITHOUT ANTIBIOTICS

    Most of the time when we are sick, our bodies do not always need antibiotics to make us feel better. Sometimes just resting and drinking lots of fluids can help our bodies heal a more natural way.

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