Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria resist the effects of an antibiotic-that is, germs are not killed and they continue to grow. Sicknesses caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be harder to treat. Simply using antibiotics creates resistance, so avoiding infections in the first place reduces the amount of antibiotics that have to be used and reduces the likelihood that resistance will develop during treatment Handwashing helps prevent many sicknesses, meaning less use of antibiotics.