Exactly What Antibiotics Are
What Are AntibioticsAntibiotics are strong medicines that can
cure many bacterial illnesses and infections. The standard
definition states that an antibiotic is a substance produced by
microorganisms that kill or inhibit other microorganisms.
The first antibiotic, penicillin, was discovered in 1929 by Sir
Alexander Fleming who observed the inhibition of staphylococci on a
plate contaminated by a Penicillin mold.
By the mid 1940's antibiotics were available for treatment
against many bacterial infections including streptococcal throat,
pneumonia, skin infections, wound infections, scarlet fever, toxic
shock syndrome and other bacterial infections.By the early 1950's
the discovery and introduction of streptomycin, tetracycline and
other antibiotics led to effective treatment of a vast array of
formerly life-threatening infections, illnesses and diseases.
According to U.S. News Online, even back in the 40's, scientists
knew that the more an antibiotic is used, the quicker it becomes
useless. While most bacteria exposed to the drug are killed, the
fittest survive and pass survival traits to their offspring. With
continued use of the antibiotic, the resistant bugs proliferate.
Bacteria that have become resistant to one antibiotic also seem to
find it easier to build resistance to others.
Antibiotics are only effective in the treatment of bacterial
infections. They have absolutely zero impact on viral
infections.
How Antibiotics WorkAntibiotics work by either killing bacteria
or by inhibiting growth.
Antibiotics don't have any impact on viruses such as colds, flu,
bronchitis, or other viral infections. Only your doctor can
determine if you have a viral or bacterial infection.
Each time we take antibiotics, sensitive bacteria are killed,
but resistant ones may be left to grow and multiply. Repeated use
and improper use of antibiotics are some of the main causes of the
increase in resistant bacteria.
Contributors to antibiotic resistance include:
Misuse and overuse of antibiotics in humans, animals, and
agriculture
Demand for antibiotics when antibiotics are not called for
Failure to finish an antibiotic prescription
Availability of antibiotics in some countries without a
prescription
