Antibiotics allow the elimination of pathogenic microorganisms.
An antibiotic is a substance that has the ability to eliminate or interrupt the growth and proliferation of various pathogenic microorganisms . This is because antibiotics can act as bactericides or develop a bacteriostatic action .
Antibiotics can be synthesized in a laboratory or produced by a living organism . They have a level of toxicity that affects pathogens, but not the host organisms, beyond any possible adverse reactions. That is why antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria in humans, animals and plants.
Penicillin is one of the best-known antibiotics. It is used to combat bacteria of the Staphylococcus and Streptococcus genera, as well as Escherichia coli , among other pathogens that affect human health . Gentamicin , meropenem and cephalothin are other widely used antibiotics.
How antibiotics work
Typically, antibiotics, when ingested by the infected person, help defend the body against the action of bacteria . As the days go by, the local organic response becomes stronger until it is able to reverse the infectious process.
It is important to note that when the infection is viral (caused by a virus ), antibiotics are not effective. On the other hand, if antibiotics are taken in an incorrect dosage or frequency, the bacteria can become resistant, making the problem worse. That is why it is essential to consult a doctor and not self-medicate.
Various infections caused by bacteria can be treated with antibiotics.
Bacterial resistance
The phenomenon known as bacterial resistance occurs when bacteria become resistant to certain antibiotics, so that the antibiotics fail to kill them or prevent them from continuing to grow. One of the reasons why this may occur, as mentioned in the previous paragraph, is that the antibiotic is taken too frequently; on the other hand, it may also be due to the patient not taking all the medicines that have been prescribed, believing that the cheapest ones will suffice, for example.
When this happens, there are different ways to effectively counteract the action of bacteria. One of them, perhaps the most common, is to opt for an antibiotic to which the bacteria has not had the opportunity to create resistance. In some cases, it becomes necessary to administer the drug intravenously. It should be noted that it is not always possible to combat bacteria that have become resistant .
Inappropriate use of antibiotics
Regarding self-medication and the inappropriate use of antibiotics, it is important to first distinguish between serious illnesses and temporary ones, which can disappear if we let our natural defenses take effect. We must not forget that we are the only living beings "dependent" on medicine, and that we often come to believe that all the answers are in this science because we do not listen to our own body.
When faced with problems such as the flu and the common cold, it is best to let our body fight them naturally; in fact, since they are viral diseases, we should not take antibiotics in these cases. Of course, we can strengthen our defenses with a good diet of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and essential nutrients.
Other illnesses that are generally caused by viruses and should not be treated with antibiotics include bronchitis, sore throat, some ear infections, and nasal congestion. However, bronchitis can be related to the presence of bacteria in the lungs, a sore throat can be caused by streptococcus pharyngitis, and certain ear infections can be caused by bacteria. When in doubt, it is always recommended to consult a health professional.