Antibiotics are a group of medicines that are used to
treat infections caused by bacteria and
certain parasites.They are normally prescibed for more serious bacteria
infections.
When prescibed,it is important to take the entire course of antibiotics which helps to prevent resistance developing to that antibiotic.Antibiotic can be taken by mouth as liquids,tablets,or capsules,or they can be given by injection.It is also available as creams,ointments or lotions to apply to the skin to treat certain infections.
There are various antibiotics
available and they come in various different brand names.Antibiotics are
usually grouped together based on how they work.Each type of antibiotic only
works against certain types of of bacteria or parasites.This is why different antibiotics are used to treat different types of infection.When prescibed,it is important to take the entire course of antibiotics which helps to prevent resistance developing to that antibiotic.Antibiotic can be taken by mouth as liquids,tablets,or capsules,or they can be given by injection.It is also available as creams,ointments or lotions to apply to the skin to treat certain infections.
The main types of antibiotics include:
Penicillins-For
example penicillin V,flucloxacillin and amoxicillin.
Cephalosporins-For
example cefaclor,cefadroxil,cefalexin
Tetracyclines-For
example tetracycline,doxycyline and minocycline
Aminoglycosides-For gentamicin,amikacin and tobramycin
Macrolides-For
example erythromycin,azithromycin and clarithromycin
Clindamycin,Sulfonamides
and trimethoprim-For example,co-trimoxazole
Metronidazole and
tinidazole-For example ciprofloxacin,levofloxacin and norfloxacin
How does
Antibiotics work:- Antibiotics work by killing bacteria or the
parasite.This is often done by interfering with the structure of the cell wall of the bactreium or parasite.Some work by stopping bacteria or
parasite from multiplying.
How antibiotic is
prescibed:-The choice of antibiotic mainly depends on which infection you
have and the bacterium or parasite your
doctor thinks is causing your infection.This is because each antibiotic is
effective only against certain bacteria or parasite.Other factors for choice of
antibiotic include how severe the infection is ,how well your kidneys and liver
is working,dosing schedule,othe r medications
you may be taking,common side –effects,a history of having an allergy to a certain type of
antibiotics or if you are breast feeding or pregnant.
When taking antibiotics:-It is
important to take antibiotics in the
correct way.If you do not take it in the
right way it may reduce how well they work and affect their absorption and
therefore may not work as well.When the
entire course prescibed by the doctor is not taken and stopped mid-course,the
bacteria may be partially treated and
not completely killed,bacteria may then become resistant to that
antibiotic.Overuse of antibiotics has led to some bacteria mutating and become
resistant to some antibiotics,which may then not work when really needed,for
e.g
MRSA which has become resistant to may different antibiotics and difficult to treat with orthodox antibiotics!
PICTORIAL ILLUSTRATION OF HOW BACTRIA RESIST ANTIBIOTICS:
What are the side-effects
of taking orthodox antibiotics?:-
There are various side effects in taking antibiotics depending
on the type.Below are lists
common side effects of antibiotics:
1.
Soft Tools
2.
Diarrhoea
3.
Mild stomach upset
4.
Nausea
5.
Allergic Reaction(Some have died from a severe
allergic reaction-although this is rare)
6. It kills off normal defence and good bacteria in
the body thereby leading to growth of thrush,bad bacteria and yeast
7. Abdominal cramps
8.
Shortness of breath
9.
Hives
10.
Rash Sewlling
of lips,face,tongue,fainting
11.
Vaginal itching e.t.c
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