What are antibiotics?
Antibiotics are a type of medicines that destroy or slow the growth of bacteria and prevent infections from spreading.
Antibiotics include a wide range of powerful medicines used to treat diseases caused by bacteria. Let us tell you that antibiotics cannot cure viral infections, such as cold, flu and most coughs.
While antibiotics may be effective against infections caused by bacteria (germs), they are not effective against viruses. Like all medicines, antibiotics can have side effects and should be used only when necessary. Taking antibiotics you don’t need can even be harmful. For this reason it is important to know about antibiotics.
A lot of information has been provided in this article with the help of which you can know about the benefits of antibiotics as well as the possible side effects caused by it.
How do antibiotics work?
There are different types of antibiotics, which work in their own unique ways. However, the two main functions they are involved in include the following:-
A bactericidal antibiotic, such as penicillin, kills bacteria. These drugs usually interfere with the formation of the bacterial cell wall or its cell contents.
A bacteriostatic antibiotic stops bacteria from multiplying.
It may take a few hours or days for people to feel better or for their symptoms to improve after taking the first dose.
What are the different types of antibiotics? What are the Different Types of Antibiotics?
There are different classes or groups of antibiotics, depending on their chemical structure. Some classes of antibiotics include the following:-
Why is it important to take antibiotics when needed? Why is it important to take antibiotics when needed?
Experts recommend using antibiotics only when necessary. This is to ensure that the bacteria die and are unable to multiply and spread to other parts of the body.
Furthermore, antibiotic use may sometimes be associated with side effects and antibiotic resistance.
What are the side effects related to antibiotics? What are the side effects related to antibiotics?
Allergic reactions: According to the CDC, each year, more than 140,000 people visit hospital emergency departments due to reactions to antibiotics. Of the cases that come to the emergency department for antibiotic-related side effects, five of the cases are related to an allergic reaction. These reactions can range from mild rashes and itching to severe blistering skin reactions, swelling of the face and throat, and breathing problems. Reducing unnecessary antibiotic use is the best way to reduce the risk of side effects from antibiotics. You should tell your doctor about any previous drug reactions or allergies.
Difficile:- C.difficile is a type of bacteria (germ) which causes death of thousands of people every year due to diarrhea. When you take antibiotics, the good bacteria that protect against infection are destroyed for several months. During this time you Can get sick from difficile. The bacteria can be picked up from contaminated surfaces or spread from a health care environment. People, especially older adults, who take antibiotics and also receive medical care are at greatest risk. Take antibiotics exactly and only as prescribed.
Antibiotic resistance:- Use of antibiotics can increase the risk of bacteria becoming resistant. Antibiotic resistant infections can be very serious and difficult to treat.
What are the side effects of antibiotics? What are the side effects of antibiotics?
Antibiotics usually cause the following side effects:-
Fungal infections of the mouth, digestive tract, and vagina, with certain antibiotics or long-term use
Antibiotics can also have some unusual side effects, which may include the following: –
Low platelet count, when taking cephalosporins and penicillins with other drugs
Severe aches and pains while taking fluoroquinolones
Hearing loss, when taking macrolides or aminoglycosides
Low granulocytes while taking penicillin
Formation of kidney stones while taking sulphonamides
Some people – especially older adults – may develop C.difficile infection. They may experience bowel inflammation, leading to severe, bloody diarrhea.
What allergic reactions can occur from antibiotics? What can be an allergic reaction to antibiotics?
Some people may have allergic reactions to antibiotics, especially penicillin. Side effects may include:
Allergic reactions to antibiotics can be immediate or delayed. This means that a person may experience adverse effects of the drug within hours or weeks.
Anyone who has an allergic reaction to an antibiotic should tell their doctor or pharmacist. While rare, people can experience serious and sometimes fatal reactions to antibiotics. They are called anaphylactic reactions.
Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that can be life threatening. Symptoms develop suddenly and include the following:-
If anyone sees the above symptoms, he should go to the nearest hospital as soon as possible, so that the symptoms can be treated immediately.
Which diseases are caused by viruses and cannot be cured with antibiotics?
Viruses cause most upper respiratory infections, including head colds, sore throats, bronchitis, and sinus infections. Viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics.
The common cold and flu (influenza) do not respond to antibiotics. Less than 10% of cases of acute bronchitis are caused by bacteria. Most cases of acute ear infections resolve without antibiotics.
Sore throat is also usually caused by viruses. Antibiotics are not recommended unless you have strep throat. About 15% to 30% of sore throat cases in children and up to 10% of cases in adults are caused by strep throat. Almost all cases of acute bacterial sinusitis resolve without antibiotics.
How is the virus treated? How are viruses treated?
Symptoms caused by viruses are usually treated with over-the-counter drugs, which are medicines you can buy without a prescription. Some medicines reduce pain, such as acetaminophen. Other medicines help make breathing easier such as decongestants, or relieve sneezing and runny nose such as antihistamines. Symptoms can also be treated by gargling with salt water or drinking warm tea.
The best defense against getting the flu is to get a flu shot. However, the flu shot does not protect against other viruses that cause other illnesses.
For some patients, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication, such as oseltamivir. These patients have a confirmed diagnosis of flu and have risk factors for flu-related complications. These risk factors include:-
Have recently been admitted to or work in a hospital. Weak immune system due to cancer or HIV or organ transplantation
Finally, there are some conditions that require antibiotics. See your healthcare provider if your immune system is weak due to cancer, or if you are taking steroids, have HIV, or have had an organ transplant. Also call if your symptoms worsen or last more than 7 to 10 days.
If you think you’re getting the flu and you already have one of these conditions, you may be less able to fight off the bacterial infection.