Upper respiratory tract infections such as sore throats, bronchitis, sinusitis, runny noses and the cold are usually caused by viruses that can't be cured with antibiotics.

Taking antibiotics when you don't need them is also risky. More than 140,000 emergency department visits each year in the U.S. are due to side effects of antibiotics.

For more information about the appropriate use of antibiotics and the Oregon Alliance Working for Antibiotic Resistance Education (AWARE), please go to the site listed below.