Antibiotics
Antibiotics are medicines that work against infections caused by bacteria. They kill bacteria or inhibit their growth so that the body's own immune system can properly handle the remaining bacteria.
Depending on their composition and mechanism of action, antibiotics are divided into groups , such as penicillins, cephalosporins and tetracyclines. The most prescribed are the penicillins .
Some antibiotics are active against multiple types of bacteria (broad-spectrum antibiotics) . Others help target one or two types of bacteria (narrow-spectrum antibiotics) .
Under normal circumstances, the body has excellent natural defense mechanisms against infections. The most common infections heal spontaneously, with antibiotics having little or even no influence on the course of the disease. For example, antibiotics do not help with an infection with a virus and are therefore useless. They are also often not necessary for normal, harmless infections with bacteria. These infections usually heal on their own within a few days.
The infections that require antibiotics often cause serious symptoms that last longer or return after things seemed to be getting better for a while.
Only a doctor can determine whether an antibiotic is necessary and if so, which antibiotic.
Care must be taken when choosing to use antibiotics. This way we ensure that the bacteria remain sensitive to these medicines. Because antibiotics can be life-saving, it is very important that they continue to work well against bacterial infections in the future.
Due to excessive and incorrect use of antibiotics, bacteria are no longer sensitive to them. This is a serious health threat .
Antibiotics are life-saving medicines and a scarce resource. It is everyone's responsibility to ensure that they are used properly and only when necessary.
Therefore, become an Antibiotic Guardian who handles antibiotics well.
If the same antibiotic is used regularly against a bacterium, it can become 'resistant'. This means that the bacteria are no longer sensitive to the antibiotic.
When you get an infection with such a resistant bacteria, antibiotics no longer help. These bacteria can then run unchecked, causing people to become very ill.
Fortunately, new antibiotics are found every now and then. But there are also more and more bacteria that no longer respond well to antibiotics. This is because antibiotics are used too often worldwide when they are not actually necessary. There are already bacteria that are almost impossible to treat with antibiotics. An example is MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus), which mainly occurs in environments where many antibiotics are used, such as hospitals, nursing homes and intensive livestock farming.
Preventing the development of resistant bacteria
Handling antibiotics very carefully is the only way to ensure that bacteria remain sensitive to antibiotics.
If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, it is important that you follow the prescribed treatment carefully. This is the only way to ensure that all bacteria are destroyed and prevent the development of resistant bacteria.
- Respect the doses and times
Take the daily amount carefully and at the prescribed time. Never skip a dose and use the prescribed amount. - Do not stop earlier than prescribed
Complete your antibiotic treatment. Even if you feel better after a few days. This is necessary because the bacteria are only gradually destroyed. - Do not keep the antibiotics
Never keep leftover antibiotics for next time. Take them to your pharmacist.
Only if necessary
Only use antibiotics if a doctor has assessed the infection and finds that antibiotics are necessary. Sometimes this requires tests, for example via a blood or urine sample, to accurately identify the organism and determine its sensitivity to different antibiotics. Also only use the type of antibiotics that the doctor has prescribed.
- Antibiotics do not help against viruses
Antibiotics are of no use for flu, colds, acute bronchitis and most forms of throat and ear infections. This is because these infections are caused by viruses. - Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria
Antibiotics only work when we are sick due to bacteria. Only then will they prove their usefulness. They can save lives in serious infections, such as pneumonia or bacterial meningitis. - Antibiotics are not always necessary for bacteria either
Bacterial infections also often heal spontaneously after a few days. The body has then produced specific antibodies that eliminate the invaders. This own immune system remains the best solution. Therefore, only take antibiotics if your doctor considers it necessary.
Antibiotics can have various side effects .
They can cause complaints because they are also active against 'good' bacteria species that we need and always carry with us, such as the bacteria in our intestines that help with digestion. As a result, antibiotics can make you feel nauseous, have stomach problems or have diarrhea. If antibiotics also combat bacteria that protect the skin and mucous membranes , other bacteria or fungi are sometimes given the opportunity to spread en masse.
Some people may become allergic to a certain type of antibiotic. This often causes itching and rash.
Fortunately, serious life-threatening cases occur only rarely .
Risk groups
Sometimes extra caution is required with antibiotics, such as:
- pregnant women;
- women who are breastfeeding ;
- small children ;
- people with kidney or liver disease ;
- an allergy to certain substances;
- the use of other medications , if they can influence each other's effect.