Antibiotics have saved lived for decades. But now they’re at the center of one of the world’s most pressing health problems.

Hi, I’m Dr. John Hellerstedt with the Children’s Health Minute, presented by this station and TexCare--connecting families with children’s health insurance for 25-dollars a month or less.

The problem is that the bacterial germs antibiotics control have developed resistance to these drugs. And that’s made it more difficult to treat children and adults suffering from bacterial infections.

What can you do? Never take antibiotics for viral infections like the common cold. They just don’t work.

Always finish taking your prescription even if you are feeling better. Don’t save left over antibiotics for the next time you think need them.

And make sure to take your antibiotic exactly as the doctor tells you.