An antibiotic is a chemical compound that can kill or inhibit the growth of a bacteria without causing the host (such as a human or an animal) significant damage. Antibiotics are powerful medicines that fight bacterial infections. Used properly, antibiotics can save lives.
The activity of antibiotics may be classified as "bacteriostatic" or "bacteriocidal." Bacteriostatic drugs stop the cells from growing and multiplying, but do not actually kill them. This inhibition of growth allows time for the infected host to mount an immune response and eliminate the non-growing infectious agent. Bacteriocidal drugs actually kill the bacteria. These drugs are the preferred choice when a person's immune system is weakened and incapable of destroying the organism itself. In either case, the antibiotics act by disrupting bacterial cell activity, for example, by attacking the outer bacterial cell wall or its inner membrane.
Antibiotics do not fight infections caused by viruses, such as
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Colds
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Flu
- Most coughs and bronchitis
- Sore throats, unless caused by strep
If a virus is making you sick, taking antibiotics may do more harm than good. Each time you take antibiotics, you increase the chances that bacteria in your body will be able to resist them. Later, you could get or spread an infection that those antibiotics cannot cure.
When you take antibiotics, follow the directions carefully. It is important to finish your medicine even if you feel better. Do not save antibiotics for later or use someone else's prescription.
Antibiotics can be naturally produced (like penicillin) by a mold or bacterium, or synthetically made (like the fluoroquinolones). Source: National Library of Medicine (NLM)
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