Antibiotics are drugs or medicines that are used to treat infections caused
by bacteria and other organisms like parasites, protozoa, and fungi. There
are a large number of infections that cannot be cured by simple medicines.
It is in such infections which can also be life-threatening ones, strong
medicines like antibiotics are used. They are available in tablets, powder,
and injected forms.
Types of Antibiotics
Antiobiotics are of two types:
- Bacteriostatic: This type of antibiotic prevents bacteria
from multiplying.
- Bactericidal: This type of antibiotic kills bacteria.
For most infections, both the types are equally effective, but if the
immune system is impaired or the individual has a severe infection, a
bactericidal antibiotic is more helpful.
How do Antibiotics Work?
The work of antibiotics is rather simple:
they kill bacteria or just prevent from its growing. The body's balance
between health and illness is called homeostasis. Homeostasis basically
depends on the relationship of the body to the bacteria with which it lives.
When there are too many bacteria for the system to handle, illness occurs
and antibiotics are needed to help restore homeostasis. It is believed that
antibiotics interfere with the surface of bacteria cells, causing a change
in their ability to reproduce. This prevents the growth of more bacteria.
Different antibiotics kill bacteria in different ways. Some short-circuit
the processes by which bacteria get energy, others disturb the structure of
the bacterial cell wall, and still others interfere with the production of
essential proteins.
Uses of Antibiotics: Infections Treated Using Antibiotics
Physicians
and patients are using antibiotics to treat a large number of infections
like as urinary tract infections, meningitis, tuberculosis, to prevent
infections before, during, and after surgery etc.
What Cannot be Treated Using Antbiotics?
It is to be noted that
antibiotics are used in treating infections, caused by bacteria, fungus, and
various parasites. But antibiotics don't cure diseases caused by viruses. In
recent years, health experts have noticed that antibiotics are becoming less
and less effective as people use them more and more. This happens because of
antibiotic resistance, a problem that develops when antibiotics are
over-used or mis-used. Infections or diseases in which antibiotics should
not be used are as follows:
- Colds, Flu
- Cough, bronchitis
- Sore throat
- Ear infections
- sinus infections etc.
Important Guidelines
Everyone can help keep antibiotic resistance
from becoming an even bigger problem than it already is. Here are some
important guidelines:
- Do not pressure a physician to prescribe an antibiotic for a cold or
flu. Usually, such illnesses are due to a viral infection, which cannot
be treated with an antibiotic. Taking an antibiotic when it is not
needed will only encourage the spread of resistant bacteria in the body
and in the community.
- If a physician prescribes an antibiotic, do not be afraid to ask why
the medicine is being prescribed. Make sure the physician has good
reason to believe that the medicine will effectively treat the
particular condition for which it is being prescribed.
- When an antibiotic is appropriately prescribed, be sure to take all
the medicine, for as long as directed. When a patient stops taking the
medicine too soon, only the most vulnerable bacteria are killed, leaving
the rest to thrive. Any illness caused by the remaining, resistant
bacteria will then be harder to treat.
- When you take antibiotics, you shouldn't interrupt the course.
Popular Antibiotics
Some 160 antibiotics are available. These
include Tetracyclines, Aminoglycosides, Penicillins, Cephalosporins,
Fluoroquinolones, Streptogramins, Sulfonamides, Macrolides, Erythromycins,
Polypeptides etc.
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Antibiotics