Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship
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- Antibiotics Only When Needed (O.W.N.)
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Antibiotics Only When Needed (O.W.N.)
The Minnesota Department of Health developed this campaign and its graphic elements to increase awareness of appropriate antibiotic use and prevent antibiotic resistance. Please use these graphics and resources to improve antibiotic use in your community.
On this page:
What Everyone Can Do
Minnesota Stories
Downloadable Graphic Elements
Contact
What Everyone Can Do
Antibiotics are lifesaving drugs that treat infections caused by bacteria. Using antibiotics when they are not necessary – especially for viral infections like the common cold and flu – make some infections very difficult to treat. For everyone's health, we must use antibiotics only when needed (O.W.N.).
One Health is the understanding that the health of humans, animals, and the environment is connected. From the doctor’s office, to the veterinary clinic, and even to the homes of Minnesotans, we can all improve how we use antibiotics. Antibiotics O.W.N. is relevant to us all.
Steps to prevent antibiotic resistance:
- Prevent infections through handwashing, vaccination, and food safety.
- Ask your provider how you can get symptom relief without antibiotics.
- Properly dispose of leftover medications at a take back box. Do not throw them away or flush them down the toilet or drain.
- Never pressure your health care provider or veterinarian to prescribe antibiotics.
- Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed, never save antibiotics for the next time you get sick, and never take antibiotics prescribed for someone else.
Help us promote the “Antibiotics Only When Needed” message in your community. Talk to your friends, family, coworkers, and more about this important issue.
Additional Resources:
Minnesota Stories
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Stories of Antibiotic Use and Resistance |
Downloadable Graphic Elements
Health professionals and partner organizations have an important role to play in combating antibiotic resistance. Include these graphics on your website, resources, social media messages, and more. Do not alter graphics in any way.
Please visit MDH Branding for more information on general standards, color palletes, and file formats. If you have any questions regarding proper use of these graphic elements, contact health.stewardship@state.mn.us or call 651-201-5414.
To save a PNG file, right-click the blue underlined hyperlink and select "Save target as..." or "Save link as...".
O.W.N. Symbol
| PNG - screen resolution PNG - high resolution EPS - Adobe Illustrator |
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O.W.N. Graphic
| PNG - screen resolution PNG - high resolution EPS - Adobe Illustrator |
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O.W.N. Graphic for Companion Animal Partners
| PNG - screen resolution PNG - high resolution EPS - Adobe Illustrator |
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O.W.N. Graphic for Partners Outside of Health Care
| PNG - screen resolution PNG - high resolution EPS - Adobe Illustrator |
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Contact
If you have questions or need technical assistance, please contact health.stewardship@state.mn.us.