Aug. 20, 2025
With the start of flu and cold season, we encourage you to talk with our members about taking antibiotics only when needed. Antibiotics don’t work against viruses, which are often the cause of acute bronchitis, colds and flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They only treat certain bacterial infections.
Why avoid antibiotics
- At least 28% of antibiotics prescribed each year in provider offices and emergency departments aren’t needed.
- Antibiotics can cause side effects ranging from minor to severe, including rash, diarrhea, yeast infections and allergic reactions.
- Antibiotics also give bacteria a chance to become more resistant to them, making future infections harder to treat. More than 35,000 people die each year in the U.S. because of antibiotic-resistant infections.
Learn more from the CDC: The CDC is discussing antibiotics awareness on Sept. 16, 2025, from 10 to 11 a.m. in advance of this year’s U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week, which is Nov. 18-24, 2025. The theme is “Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance Takes All of Us.” Register for the Sept. 16 event here.
Closing care gaps: We track the quality measure Avoidance of Antibiotic Treatment for Acute Bronchitis/Bronchiolitis from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. It measures the appropriate treatment for acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis, meaning antibiotics weren’t prescribed.
Tips to consider: The CDC suggests alternatives to antibiotics for acute bronchitis and other conditions. These include:
- Adequate rest and increased fluids
- Using a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer
- Inhaling hot shower steam or other sources of hot vapor
- Throat lozenges for adults and children age 5 years and older
- Over-the-counter medications to treat symptoms
Consider sharing information with our members, such as these from the CDC. They explain that viruses, not bacteria, cause colds and flu.
The above material is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician or other health care provider. Physicians and other health care providers are encouraged to use their own medical judgment based upon all available information and the condition of the patient in determining the appropriate course of treatment. References to other third-party sources or organizations are not a representation, warranty or endorsement of such organization. The fact that a service or treatment is described in this material is not a guarantee that the service or treatment is a covered benefit and members should refer to their certificate of coverage for more details, including benefits, limitations and exclusions. Regardless of benefits, the final decision about any service or treatment is between the member and their health care provider.