Antibiotics
Define Antibiotics?
An antibiotic is a substance used to kill bacteria.They are also known as antibacterials. If you're coughing up green stuff, the doctor might give you an antibiotic to fight the infection. Any of a large group of chemical substances, as penicillin orstreptomycin, produced by various microorganisms and fungi, havingthe capacity in dilute solutions to inhibit the growth of or to destroybacteria and other microorganisms, used chiefly in the treatment of infectious diseases.
A drug used to treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics have no effect on viral infections. Originally, an antibiotic was a substance produced by one microorganism that selectively inhibits the growth of another. Synthetic antibiotics, usually chemically related to natural antibiotics, have since been produced that accomplish comparable tasks.
Penicillin was the first antibiotic. Antibiotics, such as ampicillin, amoxicillin, and penicillin G, are Penicillin-based. Modern antibiotics are usually only available with a prescription in most countries. Antibiotics such as Topical antibiotics are used as over-the-counter (OTC) creams and ointments.
Types of Antibiotics?
Broad spectrum antibiotics
Antibiotics affecting wide range of bacteria are known as broad spectrum antibiotics.
For Example: Amoxicillin and Gentamicin.
Narrow Spectrum Antibiotics
Antibiotics affecting only few types of bacteria are called narrow spectrum antibiotics.
For Example: Penicillin.
How do antibiotics work?
Antibiotics blocks vital processes in bacteria, they kill bacteria or stop them from multiplying. It help the body's natural immune system to fight the bacterial infection and this is how antibiotics work. Doctors selects an antibiotic based on bacteria that usually cause a particular infection. Doctor might do a test to identify the exact type of bacteria causing your infection and its sensitivity to particular antibiotics in some cases.
What are the uses of antibiotics?
Antibiotics are usually used in: