Antibiotics are medicines used to treat infections or diseases caused by various strains of bacteria. First introduced in the 1940s and mass-produced since the 1950s, antibiotics have saved millions of lives. However, over-prescription is limiting their effectiveness as new strains of antibiotic-resistance bacteria have evolved.rnMost infections have two primary causes:
• Virusesrn• BacteriarnViruses are chiefly responsible for causing:
• Colds and flurn• Runny nosesrn• Coughs and bronchitisrn• Sore throatsrnAntibiotics will not cure viruses or mitigate their symptoms.rnBacteria cause:
• Strep throatrn• Ear infectionsrn• Urinary infectionsrn• Some sinus infectionsrnViruses can cause symptoms that mimic bacteria and vice versa. Your physician can clarify which is causing your illness and recommend a course of treatment.rnAntibiotic-Resistant BacteriarnBacteria like all organisms are capable of evolving. As antibiotics become commonly prescribed, bacteria develop a resistance to antibiotics and do not respond to standard methods of treatment.rnEach time antibiotics are used unnecessarily or improperly; there is a risk that bacteria will develop a resistance to standard antibiotics. Due to this effect, some diseases that used to be readily treated by antibiotics are now very difficult to control.rnBacteria can become resistant to specific antibiotics:
• Bacteria evolve ways to survive the use of medication used to kill or weaken themrn• If a germ develops resistance treating the infection can be difficult or impossiblern• Someone infected with an antibiotic-resistant infection can transmit that infection to another person, causing the bacteria to spreadrn• In some cases, antibiotic-resistant bacteria caused serious disability and deathrn• Resistance can occur when a bacterial infection is only partially treated. To prevent this from occurring, always finish your course of antibiotics.rnWhen Are Antibiotics Most EffectivernThere are many types of infections that require antibiotics to cure them but equally, many do not need antibiotics. Common colds and flu cannot be treated with antibiotics and using antibiotics to prevent bacterial infections developing can lead to bacterial resistance.
• Antibiotics don’t work on colds and flu and over-prescribing antibiotics can be harmfulrn• Consult your physician about antibiotics and the difference between viruses and bacteriarn• Always follow the instruction and complete your course of antibiotics if one is prescribedrn• Never save leftover antibiotics just in case as this can lead to bacterial resistancern• Do not share your antibiotics with othersrn• Antibiotic resistance is a common problem amongst both children and adultsrnAlways take antibiotics responsibly. Ensure children are immunised against common
childhood illness., as immunisation will help prevent the development of more serious bacterial infections in later life. Consult your physician for more information.rnAntibiotic Resistance and ConsequencesrnBroad-spectrum antibiotics are taken to combat a wide range of infections. This may seem like a great “fix-all” option. A more targeted antibiotic may be significantly more affecting against a bacteria that has built a resistance to the common broad spectrum. rnFor a number of decades now, the development of new antibiotics has not kept up with antibiotic resistance. It is advisable to:
• To never take antibiotics those are not proscribed for you.
• Never take a leftover course of antibiotics leftover from another illness or infection.
• Practice hood hygiene to avoid viral infections altogether.