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Antibiotics: Uses, Resistance, and Side Effects

Last updated on February 23rd, 2022 at 08:01 pm

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Antibiotics are one of the most important medical tools we have today. However, with antibiotic resistance on the rise and side effects such as allergic reactions and drug-resistant infections continuing to increase, scientists are looking for ways to prevent the efficacy of antibiotics from going down.

What are antibiotics?

Antibiotics can be defined as a drug used for fighting or preventing the growth of bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms. Some antibiotics are prescribed to cure infections caused by bacteria and others are used to prevent the spread of illnesses. Antibiotics are helpful in treatment of bacterial infections such as pneumonia, gonorrhea, tuberculosis, and sepsis. Antibiotics are medications that help fight bacterial infections and are used in both human and veterinary medicine. There are two types of antibiotics: broad-spectrum antibiotics and narrow-spectrum antibiotics. Broad-spectrum antibiotics kill a wide range of bacteria while narrow-spectrum antibiotics kill only the bacteria it targets. Antibiotics can be toxic when they are overused because they weaken natural antibiotic defenses, which can lead to resistant bacterial strains.

Types of Antibiotics

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. The effectiveness of antibiotics is based on the type of bacteria that caused the infection. There are two major classes of antibiotics: bacteriocins and bacteriostatic. Bacteriostatic antibiotics prevent or hamper the growth of bacteria, while bacteriocins kill bacteria. Antibiotic resistance is a phenomenon that occurs when bacteria change their genetic structure in response to some level of antibiotic exposure, even though they are not harmed by it. Side effects may include nausea and diarrhea

Side Effects and Resistance

Many people have heard that antibiotics are bad for you, but it’s difficult to make the case when they’re used correctly. Unfortunately, antibiotics are becoming more and more resistant to treatment, so they are not always effective. Moreover, antibiotics cause many side effects like headaches and diarrhoea. This makes an antibiotic-free lifestyle a necessity if you want to stay healthy and avoid resistance or side effects related to antibiotic use that could lead to other conditions.

Side effects of antibiotics can range from mild to severe, and the more common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and rashes. Resistance is another effect that antibiotics cause. Side effects and resistance are both caused by bacteria becoming resistant to the drug’s effects. There are many side effects of antibiotics, such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting which can cause dehydration. Also, certain antibiotics have been known to increase the risk for yeast infections among those with diabetes. Antibiotics also have a very high possibility of resistance in certain levels.

How do Antibiotics fight infection?

Antibiotics are used to kill the invading bacteria that cause infections. Antibiotics work by interfering with the bacterial cell’s ability to reproduce and survive. When antibiotics kill a living cell, they also cause collateral damage to other cells in the area which can lead to side effects. These symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Antibiotics are substances produced by microorganisms that inhibit the growth of other microorganisms. Antibiotics are also used against infections caused by viruses, fungi, and protozoa. This article discusses the uses, resistance and side effects of antibiotics from a microbiologist’s perspective.

Take home message

Antibiotics are an amazing tool that has saved millions of lives. However, the misuse of antibiotics and their overuse cause antibiotic resistance and side effects. To use antibiotics effectively, it is critical to understand the difference between them and other medications. Side effects of antibiotics are usually mild and disappear after a short period of time. However, if you experience severe side effects, it is important to tell your doctor about them.

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