What type of infection cannot be treated with antibiotics

Practise good hygiene such as hand-washing and use appropriate infection control procedures. Transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria in hospitals The common ways in which bacteria can be passed from person to person include: contact with contaminated hands of hospital staff contact with contaminated surfaces such as door handles, over-bed tables and call bells contact with contaminated equipment, such as stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs.

Infection control in hospitals Standard precautions in hospitals are work practices that provide a basic level of infection control for the care of all people, regardless of their diagnosis or presumed infection status.

These precautions should be followed in all hospitals and healthcare facilities and include: good personal hygiene, such as hand washing before and after patient contact and the appropriate use of alcohol-based hand rub solutions the use of barrier equipment such as gloves, gowns, masks and goggles appropriate handling and disposal of sharps for example, needles and clinical waste waste generated during patient care aseptic sterile techniques.

Additional precautions with antibiotic resistant bacteria Additional precautions are used when caring for people who are known or suspected to be infected or colonised with highly infectious pathogens micro-organisms that cause disease. Additional precautions may include: use of a single room with ensuite facilities or a dedicated toilet dedicated care equipment for that person restricted movement of the person and their healthcare workers.

Transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria in the community Antibiotic resistant bacteria can also be passed from person to person within the community. Ways to prevent transmission of organisms, including antibiotic resistant bacteria, are: Wash hands before and after food handling, going to the toilet and changing nappies. Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing. Use tissues to blow or wipe your nose. Dispose of tissues properly, either in the rubbish or toilet. Do not spit.

Stay at home if you are unwell and cannot manage the normal requirements of your day. Do not send children to child care, kindergarten or school if they are unwell. If you are prescribed antibiotics, take the entire course — do not stop because you are feeling better.

If you continue to feel unwell, go back to the doctor. Avoid use of products that advertise they contain antibiotics, or are antibacterial or antimicrobial, unless advised to do so by your health professional. Where to get help Your doctor Pharmacist Community health centre. Your email address will not be published. Read More.

People Read real stories from patients and their loved ones, explore the contributions of historic figures in medicine and public health, and learn from scientists whose work is on the cutting edge.

Innovation Innovation comes in many forms, from new research and tools for public health to new ways of thinking, management practices, and government policies. Impact Discover how everyone can make a difference in bettering public health—through research, implementation of best practices, making healthy choices, and sharing information. Bacteria are very small organisms, and billions of them live in and on your body. Most of the time these bacteria are harmless or even helpful for your body, like those that help you to digest food, but some bacteria can cause diseases.

There are two types of antibiotics that work to stop bacterial infections. Some slow down the growth of bacteria and damage their ability to reproduce and spread, while others kill the bacteria by destroying the bacteria cell walls. The choice of antibiotic depends on the type of bacteria. Viruses are different to bacteria; they have a different structure and a different way of surviving.

Viruses can't reproduce on their own, like bacteria do, instead they attach themselves to healthy cells and reprogram those cells to make new viruses. Get Permissions. Read the Issue. Sign Up Now. Previous: Sore Throat. Next: Crisis Management. Oct 1, Issue. Am Fam Physician. What are antibiotics? Do antibiotics always work? What is bacterial resistance? What can I do to help myself?

How do I know when I need antibiotics? It depends on what is causing your infection. The following are some basic guidelines: Colds and flu. Read the full article. Get immediate access, anytime, anywhere. Choose a single article, issue, or full-access subscription.