| The word "antibiotic" derives from the Greek anti which means "against" and bios denoting "life" (a bacterium is a life form). Antibiotics are potent drugs taken to treat infections caused by bacteria. If used in the right way, antibiotics can save lives. They either combat bacteria completely or stop their reproduction. Your body's natural defenses can normally take it from there.
The majority of antibiotics have got 2 names, the trade name created by the pharmaceutical company that manufactures the medication, and a generic name dependent on chemical properties of antibiotics.
Antibiotics do not combat viral infections, for example colds, flu, most coughs and bronchitis, sore throats unless brought on by streptococcus.
A broad-spectrum antibiotic can be used to combat a huge range of infections. A narrow-spectrum antibiotic is only effective against several types of microbes. There are antibiotics that combat aerobic bacteria, whereas others work against anaerobic microorganisms. Aerobic bacteria need oxygen, while anaerobic bacteria do not.
Antibiotics may be prescribed beforehand, to preclude an infection, as might be the case before surgery. This is called 'preventive' use of antibiotics. They are commonly used before bowel and orthopaedic surgery.
Antibiotics can bring on more harm than good, when they are not taken in the right way. Widespread use and misuse in sick people over time have jeopardized antibiotics' ability to kill off bacteria. At present, almost all bacteria show some resistance to these medications, so that more recently developed antibiotics are sometimes needed to combat infections that were once easily cured. Antibiotics can also bring on complications, for instance diarrhea and vaginal yeast infections.
When you take antibiotics, observe the instructions. Your dosage has been calculated to combat germs throughout the course of the illness. Therefore, if you do not cultivation, you may find yourself at the risk of leaving enough microorganisms in your body to resume the infection - even if you are feeling good. The leftover drug will be insufficient to fight off the bugs the next time, and it may even make them resistant. |
