| The word "antibiotic" is derived from the Greek anti meaning "against" and bios denoting "life" (a bacterium is a life form). Antibiotics are powerful medicines taken to treat bacterial infections. If used in the right way, antibiotics can save lives. They either combat microbes completely or keep them from multiplication. Your body's natural defenses can normally take it from there.The majority of antibiotics have two names, the trade name created by the manufacturer, and a generic name based on chemical characteristics of antibiotics.Antibiotics do not combat infections brought on by viruses, such as colds, influenza, most coughs and bronchitis, sore throats unless brought on by streptococci.A broad-spectrum antibiotic can be used to treat a huge number of infections. A narrow-spectrum antibiotic is only efficient against a few types of microbes. There are antibiotics that can kill off aerobic bacteria, while others work against anaerobic microorganisms. Aerobic bacteria need oxygen, while anaerobic bacteria do not.Antibiotics may be given in advance, to preclude an infection, as might be the case prior to operation. This is called 'prophylactic' use of antibiotics. They are normally taken before bowel and orthopedic operation.Antibiotics can bring on many more medical problems, if not taken as recommended. Widespread use and misuse in the ill over time have jeopardized antibiotics' power to kill off germs. Now, nearly all bacteria are resistant to these drugs, so that more recently introduced antibiotics are sometimes necessary to combat infections that were once easily treatable. Antibiotics can also bring on complications, for example vaginal yeast infections and diarrhea.If you take antibiotics, follow the instructions. Your dosage has been calculated to fight off bacteria through the course of the disease. Hence, if you do not destination, you risk leaving enough microorganisms in your body to resume the infection - even after you are feeling good. The leftover medication will be insufficient to kill off the microbes the next time, and it may even make them resistant to antibiotics. |
