RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - State officials are teaming up with health care groups to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The Virginia Department of Health is collaborating with the Medical Society of Virginia, Health Quality Innovators and Virginia Hospital Association for the initiative.
The groups say that antibiotics have been used so widely that organisms have often adapted to become resistant to the drugs.
The groups hope to promote best practices among doctors and the public to prevent antibiotics from losing their effectiveness in treating infections.
Officials are reminding health care providers and families that infections may not require antibiotics.
They also say that patients given antibiotics should always take their full prescription, even if they are feeling better, to prevent bacteria from developing a resistance.