Monday 30 September 2013

Antibiotics when to use and when not

Antibiotics or Antibacterial are drugs used for treating bacterial infections. This is done by the destruction or prevention of the infection causing bacteria. Some bacteria seem to be harmless whereas others cause tuberculosis, salmonella, syphilis, and other illnesses.

There are special white blood cells in the body’s immune system that destroy these harmful bacteria. Human body has the immunity to fight with bacteria and their symptoms and the infections caused by them. But not all times. When the body becomes incapable of fighting bacteria, the need for antibiotics comes into picture.

Penicillin was the first ever antibiotic developed. Related antibiotics developed henceforth were benzylpenicilllin, Generic Amoxicillin and Generic Ampicillin which are also being used for treating infections. There are certain types of antibacterial which should be always taken under the prescription of a specialist.

Overusing these antibiotics further worsen the situation by making these bacteria become resistant to antibiotic use. According to a study conducted on antibiotic use in the EU, it was found that approximately 25,000 people die every year due to antibiotic resistant bacterial infections.

An antibiotic works by preventing bacteria from multiplication or kill them by interfering with its cell wall or contents. Antibiotics are effective against bacteria, fungi, parasites and not any other microorganisms like viruses and infections caused by them such as common cold and throat infections.

While taking antibiotics, it is important to take it under a doctor’s supervision and follow the directions given by him very carefully. Stopping the antibiotic treatment in between (after you start feeling cured), chances are some bacteria may survive and infect again.

Therefore, it becomes quite important to know when and where to use antibiotics and where not, to prevent oneself from any kind of harm that they cause.

More Antibiotics

Generic Clarithromycin 

Erythromycin