In Israel, people with upper respiratory tract infections caused by E. coli, the rate of ciprofloxacin resistance in their E. coli reflected the rate of ciprofloxacin use in their neighbourhood. This association occurred whether or not the infected person had taken a fluoroquinolone in the preceding year. Bacteria spread rapidly between people within homes and neighbourhoods. Everyone bears the consequences of excessive antibiotic use, and everyone benefits from low rates of antibiotic use.