What are ANTIBIOTICS?
Antibiotics are used to treat large bacterial infections. Usually the body can fight off small infections before it gets too bad and you need to get a prescription for antibiotics. Most of the time we actually don't need antibiotics because we could just let the body fight off the bacteria itself but instead of creating a long term resistance to the virus we create a temporary fix.
The first antibiotic was penicillin. Such penicillin-related antibiotics as ampicillin, amoxicillin and benzylpenicilllin are widely used today to treat a variety of infections;
these antibiotics have been around for a long time. There are several different types of modern antibiotics and they are only available with a doctor's prescription in industrialised countries.
Most bacteria secrete a covering for themselves which we call a cell wall, However, bacterial cell walls are a totally different thing than the cell walls we talk about plants having. Bacterial cell walls do not contain cellulose like plant cell walls do. Bacterial cell walls are made mostly of a chemical called peptidoglycan (made of polypeptides bonded to modified sugars), but the amount and location of the peptidoglycan are different in the two possible types of cell walls, depending on the species of bacterium. Some antibiotics, like penicillin, inhibit the formation of the chemical cross linkages needed to make peptidoglycan. These antibiotics don’t outright kill the bacteria, but just stop them from being able to make more cell walls so they can grow. That’s why antibiotics must typically be taken for ten days until the bacteria, unable to grow, die of “old age”. If a person stops taking the antibiotic sooner, any living bacteria could start making peptidoglycan, grow and reproduce.
The first antibiotic was penicillin. Such penicillin-related antibiotics as ampicillin, amoxicillin and benzylpenicilllin are widely used today to treat a variety of infections;
these antibiotics have been around for a long time. There are several different types of modern antibiotics and they are only available with a doctor's prescription in industrialised countries.
Most bacteria secrete a covering for themselves which we call a cell wall, However, bacterial cell walls are a totally different thing than the cell walls we talk about plants having. Bacterial cell walls do not contain cellulose like plant cell walls do. Bacterial cell walls are made mostly of a chemical called peptidoglycan (made of polypeptides bonded to modified sugars), but the amount and location of the peptidoglycan are different in the two possible types of cell walls, depending on the species of bacterium. Some antibiotics, like penicillin, inhibit the formation of the chemical cross linkages needed to make peptidoglycan. These antibiotics don’t outright kill the bacteria, but just stop them from being able to make more cell walls so they can grow. That’s why antibiotics must typically be taken for ten days until the bacteria, unable to grow, die of “old age”. If a person stops taking the antibiotic sooner, any living bacteria could start making peptidoglycan, grow and reproduce.
How do antibiotics work?
There are many different ways that antibiotics stop viruses and bacteria but here are just twoA bactericidal antibiotic kills the bacteria. Penicillin is a bactericidal.
A bactericidal usually either interferes with the formation of the bacterium's
cell wall or its cell contents. A bacteriostatic stops bacteria from multiplying.
A bactericidal usually either interferes with the formation of the bacterium's
cell wall or its cell contents.
How do i know when i need antibiotics
These are just some basic guidelines for when you need or don't need antibiotics:
Colds and flu. Viruses cause these illnesses. They can't be cured with antibiotics.
Cough or bronchitis. Viruses almost always cause these. However, if you have a problem with your lungs or an illness that lasts a long time, bacteria may actually be the cause.
Sore throat. Most sore throats are caused by viruses and don't need antibiotics.
Ear infections. There are several types of ear infections. Antibiotics are used for some, but not all, ear infections.
Sinus infections. Antibiotics are often used to treat sinus infections. However, a runny nose and yellow or green mucus do not necessarily mean you need an antibiotic. Antibiotics have very little benefit in the treatment of sinusitis.
Conjunctivitis. It comes as a surprise to most people that conjunctivitis is usually viral and antibiotic eye drops do not usually help; these are, however, available over the counter.
Colds and flu. Viruses cause these illnesses. They can't be cured with antibiotics.
Cough or bronchitis. Viruses almost always cause these. However, if you have a problem with your lungs or an illness that lasts a long time, bacteria may actually be the cause.
Sore throat. Most sore throats are caused by viruses and don't need antibiotics.
Ear infections. There are several types of ear infections. Antibiotics are used for some, but not all, ear infections.
Sinus infections. Antibiotics are often used to treat sinus infections. However, a runny nose and yellow or green mucus do not necessarily mean you need an antibiotic. Antibiotics have very little benefit in the treatment of sinusitis.
Conjunctivitis. It comes as a surprise to most people that conjunctivitis is usually viral and antibiotic eye drops do not usually help; these are, however, available over the counter.