A study by Public Health Ontario has found residents in southwestern Ontario are popping antibiotics, more than necessary.
The research found residents in the Erie-St.Clair region, which includes Windsor-Essex, are taking more antibiotics than elsewhere in the province.
It found 778 antibiotic prescriptions filled for every 1,000 residents.
Co-author Dr. Kevin Schwartz says the report suggests there is some 'unnecessary prescribing'.
"That health region is where there is the most room for improvement and where there certainly should be more efforts directed in terms of education of the public and physicians of the importance of appropriate antibiotic prescribing," he says.
Speaking on the Afternoon News, Dr. Schwartz says too many people in this region are turning to antibiotics.
"You are getting up close to almost on average 80% of the public receiving an antibiotic dose every year."
He also points out there is a risk to taking too many antibiotics in terms of increasing antibiotic resistance.
Dr. Schwartz says people should save antibiotics, so they are useful, when people need them.
He says people should not be using antibiotics for health issues such as a viral illness, coughs, colds or flu or bronchitis.
For those cases, people need to rest, and take lots of fluids.