Antibiotics

Antibiotics  are medicines that destroy or slow down the growth of bacteria. When bacteria enter the body, the immune system tries to destroy it before its tries to multiply.

Antibiotics classification belongs to a particular category of medicines that help stop infections. The main cause of these infections is bacteria. Moreover, antibiotics achieve this by either killing the bacteria or by preventing their copying or reproduction. The word ‘antibiotic’ means ‘against life’ and this shows its main function- killing or eliminating bacteria. Technically, the tag of antibiotics tablets is applied to any drugs that destroy harmful germs.

However, people often use this term for drugs meant specifically bacteria. The discovery of these medicines came about during the 1920s. This discovery was revolutionary because before it; humans died from minor bacterial infections. For example, even strep throat could have been fatal. The wide discovery of antibiotics changed medical treatments forever.  With antibiotics, the life expectancy of human beings has significantly increased. Now, people can survive even deadly infections, thanks to antibiotics tablets and injections.

Introduction to Antibiotics

Antibiotics classification pertains to a powerful category of medicines that have the capability of dealing with certain infections. When used properly, antibiotics injection and tablets can help save the lives of people. They can  stop bacteria from reproducing and can also destroy them.

White blood cells (WBCs) come into action and start attacking harmful bacteria. Even if symptoms appear, the immune system is able to fight off the infection.

However, there are times when the number of harmful bacteria becomes too much.  This is where the scenario becomes really problematic.

Their immune system cannot fight an excessive number of bacteria. In such a scenario, antibiotics tablets and injections come in handy.

The first antibiotic ever discovered was the penicillin and it proved to be game changer. Various Penicillin-based ones are still effective today like penicillin G, amoxicillin, and ampicillin. They are able to treat various illnesses and diseases.

In the current era, several types of antibiotics are available. However, most of them are usually available with a prescription in most countries. You can find several types of topical ones in over-the-counter (OTC) creams and ointments.

How Do Antibiotics Work?

There are different types of antibiotics, whose working takes place in one of the two ways:

• A bactericidal antibiotic kills the bacteria. A good example can be penicillin. These drugs interfere with the cell contents of the bacteria or its cell wall formation.
• A bacteriostatic antibiotic prevents bacteria from multiplying.

Uses of Antibiotics

A doctor prescribes antibiotics injection or tablets for treating a bacterial infection. It is important to know whether an infection is bacterial or viral. This is because, they do not work against viruses.

You should avoid overusing an antibiotic lest the bacteria becomes resistant. Similarly, the bacteria may become resistant if you use antibiotics tablets incorrectly. This means that the antibiotic would not be much effective as the bacterium has been able to improve its defenses against it.

Sometimes, a broad-spectrum of antibiotics can be prescribed by the doctor. This happens in a case where a doctor is to treat a wide range of infections. A narrow-spectrum treatment would be good against only a few types of bacteria.

There are two types of bacteria- aerobic and anaerobic. Aerobic bacteria are those that require oxygen and anaerobic bacteria are those that do not require oxygen. As such, some antibiotics injection and tablets deal with aerobic bacteria while others specialize with anaerobic bacteria.

In some cases, a healthcare professional may provide them for the purpose prevention rather than the treatment of an infection. A good example here can be a case before orthopedic or bowel surgery. This particular use is called as the ‘prophylactic’ use.

Side Effects of Antibiotics

Below are the various side effects side effects that are the most common

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Bloating or indigestion
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea

Occasionally, a person may also develop some side effects such as below:

• Coughing
• Hives , a raised skin that  has itchiness and rashes
• Wheezing
• Tight throat
• Difficulty in breathing

Way of Using Antibiotics

It is not wise to stop a course of antibiotics when the individuals are halfway through. If in doubt, individuals must seek their doctor advice and not take things into their own hands.

People usually take them in the form of tablets by mouth. However, sometimes, the doctors can administer them by injecting them in the body. In rare cases, the doctor may apply them directly on the infected part of the body.

After taking them, they start dealing with the infection within a period of a few hours. To prevent the return of the infection, it is of paramount importance to complete the whole course of medication.

Stopping the medication before the course has finished increases the risk that the bacteria will become resistant to future treatments. The ones that survive may develop a form of resistance to it. An individual needs to complete their prescribed doctor course even after improvement comes.

There are certain antibiotics that you should avoid with certain foods and drinks. However, some can be taken when you have not eaten anything on an empty stomach.

Some tablets you need to avoid an hour before a meal. Furthermore, for some, you must avoid eating anything for about an hour later.

Whatever antibiotic you consume, make sure to follow the instructions correctly. Otherwise the medications may not be effective.

Smart Way of Using Antibiotics

The best way to use is by being smart with using antibiotics tablets. Follow the following steps:

• Put your trust in your doctor
• Avoid taking them if your doctors asks you to stop
• Do not take them for treating a viral infection
• Avoid taking the tablets that your doctor does not prescribe
• Take the tablets as per the direction of your doctor
• Never skip the doses during a course
• Take them for the full number of days that have been prescribed by your doctor
• Don’t save them some of the tablets for later usage

FAQs on Antibiotics

Question 1: Can bacteria develop antibiotics resistance?

Answer 1: Sometimes bacteria develop resistance against certain categories of antibiotics classification. This happens due to the overusage of antibiotics tablets or injections. Such bacteria adapt to them and are known as superbugs or as super bacteria.

They change and become powerful such that these tablets and injections no longer work on them. They pose a big threat, because you can’t destroy them with medications.

Questions 2: Are antibiotics good for viral infections?

Answer 2: Antibiotics do not work on infections that are of viral nature. For this reason, avoid taking them for cold where you experience runny nose and thick mucus. Similarly, there is no need to take them when you suffer from flu, bronchitis, or sore throat.

Question 3: Should one stop taking antibiotics as soon as one feels better?

Answer 3: Stopping to take tablets immediately when one feels better is a mistake that many make. Most importantly, you must take medications as per the directions of the doctor. Moreover, skipping doses and stopping too soon may help the bacteria to survive.