Pediatricians group offers tips on antibiotic use

The American Academy of Pediatrics says it's Get Smart About Antibiotics week and it's offering advice on how to avoid overusing these important medicines.

With the arrival of cold and flu season, the academy has partnered with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in raising awareness about appropriate antibiotic use.

The drugs work against bacteria but not illnesses caused by viruses. That includes colds and the flu, and also most coughs and sore throats. Using antibiotics for those illnesses can be dangerous because it can help make germs more resistant to the drugs.

Illnesses that antibiotics can treat include bacterial pneumonia, some sinus infections and sore throats caused by strep bacteria.

The academy says be sure to use all doses of antibiotics; otherwise the infections could return.