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Antibiotics treat bacterial infections only |
| Date Added: December 08, 2009 09:51:27 AM |
| Author: Melika |
| Category: HEALTH |
| The word "antibiotic" is derived from the Greek anti denoting "against" and bios denoting "life" (a bacterium is a life form). Antibiotics are efficient drugs taken to treat bacterial infections. If used as prescribed, antibiotics can save lives. They either kill off microorganisms completely or prevent them from multiplying. Your body's natural defenses can usually take it from there. The vast majority of antibiotics have got two names, the brand name created by the manufacturer, and a generic name dependent on chemical structure or chemical class of antibiotics. Antibiotics do not fight off viral infections, for instance colds, flu, most coughs and bronchitis, sore throats unless brought on by streptococci. A broad-spectrum antibiotic can be taken to combat a huge number of infections. A narrow-spectrum antibiotic is only effective against a few types of germs. There are antibiotics that can kill off aerobic bacteria, whereas others work against anaerobic microorganisms. Aerobic bacteria need oxygen, while anaerobic bacteria do not. Antibiotics may be prescribed in advance, to forestall an infection, in particular prior to operation. This is called 'prophylactic' use of antibiotics. They are usually taken before bowel and orthopaedic operation. Antibiotics can cause more harm than good, when they are not taken in properly. Widespread use and misuse in sick people over time have jeopardized antibiotics' power to fight off microbes. Today, almost all bacteria are insensitive to the properties of the powerful drugs, so that more recently invented antibiotics are sometimes necessary to stop infections once easily cured. Antibiotics can also bring on complications, for example vaginal yeast infections and diarrhea. If you are taking an antibiotic, keep to the instructions. Your dose has been measured to fight off bacteria within the course of the illness. So, if you do not destination, you risk leaving enough bacteria in your body to re-start the infection - even if you are feeling good. The leftover medicine will be insufficient to fight off the microbes the next time, and it may even make them resistant. |
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