What are Antibiotics?

Antibiotics refer to any substance that inhibits the growth and replication of bacteria or kills them outright. An antibiotic is a type of antimicrobial designed to target bacterial infections in (or on) the body. This feature makes antibiotics slightly different from other major types of antimicrobials that are widely used today, such as:

• Antiseptic (skin disinfection)- used to sterilize living tissue surfaces when the risk of infection is high, such as during surgery.
• Disinfectants – non-selective antimicrobials that kill various microorganisms including bacteria. They are used on inanimate surfaces, for example in hospitals as well as at home in kitchens and bathrooms.

The truth is that microorganisms can hurt humans in addition to bacteria. Viruses and fungi can also be harmful to people. Antiviral and antifungal drugs target them. On the other hand, only drugs that precisely target bacteria are referred to as antibiotics. Antimicrobials are a general term for drugs like antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, and chemicals like antiseptics or anything else that prevents or eliminates microbial cells.

The Purposes of Antibiotics

Assuring that the patient obtains the appropriate antibiotic is the guiding idea behind its use. For the antibiotic to be successful without having any negative side effects for a long enough period of time to ensure that the infection is totally eradicated, the target bacteria must be susceptible to it.

Their range of action varies among antibiotics. Some are really particular. Some antibiotics, like tetracyclines, work against a variety of bacteria. When time doesn’t allow for sensitivity testing, this is very helpful in treating infections and battling mixed illnesses. While some antibiotics, like quinolones and semi-synthetic penicillins, can be taken orally, other antibiotics must be administered intravenously or intramuscularly.

Types of Antibiotics

Although there are hundreds of different types of antibiotics, most can be classified into six groups.

• Penicillin (ie: penicillin, flucloxacillin, amoxicillin, co-amoxiclav and phenoxymethylpenicillin) – widely used to treat various infections such as skin infections, chest infections and urinary tract infections
• Cephalosporins (ie: cephalexin) – used to treat a variety of infections including more serious infections, such as septicemia and meningitis
• Aminoglycosides (ie: gentamicin and tobramycin) – are used specifically in hospitals only to treat very serious diseases such as septicaemia. This is due to serious side effects such as hearing loss and kidney damage. They are usually given by injection but can also be given as drops for some ear or eye infections
• Tetracyclines (ie: tetracycline, doxycycline and lymecycline) – commonly used to treat acne and a skin condition called rosacea but are also effective for the treatment of various infections
• Macrolides (ie: azithromycin, erythromycin and clarithromycin) – effective in the treatment of lung and chest infections and an alternative for people with penicillin allergy, or to treat resistant strains of bacteria
• Fluoroquinolones (ie: ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin) – are broad-spectrum antibiotics that have been used to treat a variety of infections, especially respiratory and urinary tract infections. But these antibiotics are no longer used routinely because of the risk of serious side effects

Why Side Effects Are Caused by Antibiotics

Antibiotics can successfully destroy germs, but they frequently can’t tell the difference between good and dangerous bacteria. This implies that they may harm the beneficial bacteria. While permitting alien microorganisms to take over our organ systems, our bodies cannot operate properly. That’s why when you are a doctor you can get a lot of information about antibiotics, so study mbbs abroad ireland.