Antibiotics

What are antibiotics?

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says that antibiotics — powerful medicines that fight bacterial infections — can save lives when used properly. Antibiotics either stop bacteria from reproducing or kill them. Your body’s natural defenses can usually take it from there.

Before bacteria can multiply and cause symptoms, the body’s immune system can usually destroy them. We have special white blood cells that attack harmful bacteria. Even if symptoms do occur, our immune system can usually cope and fight off the infection. There are occasions, however, when it is all too much and some help is needed... from antibiotics.

How do antibiotics work?

Although there are a number of different types of antibiotics they all work in one of two ways:

1. A 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.
2. A bacteriostatic stops bacteria from multiplying.

What are antibiotics for?

An antibiotic is given for the treatment of an infection caused by bacteria. Antibiotics target microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and parasites. However, they are not effective against viruses.

If you have an infection it is important to know whether it is caused by bacteria or a virus. Most upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold and sore throats are generally caused by viruses. Antibiotics do not work against these viruses.

If antibiotics are overused or incorrectly used there is a risk that the bacteria will become resistant — the antibiotic becomes less effective against that type of bacterium.

A broad-spectrum antibiotic can be used to treat a wide range of infections. A narrow-spectrum antibiotic is only effective against a few types of bacteria. There are antibiotics that attack aerobic bacteria, while others work against anaerobic bacteria. Aerobic bacteria need oxygen, while anaerobic bacteria don’t.

Antibiotics may be given beforehand, to prevent infection, as might be the case before surgery, called a ‘prophylactic’ use of antibiotics. They are commonly used before bowel and orthopaedic surgery.

What are the side-effects of antibiotics?

Below is a list of the most common side-effects of antibiotics:

• Diarrhea – researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine found that a rise in sugars in the gut following antibiotic treatment allows harmful bacteria to get a foothold and cause infection. Harmful bacteria thrive on sugar.
• Feeling and being sick
• Fungal infections of the mouth, digestive tract and vagina

Below is a list of rare side-effects of antibiotics:

• Formation of kidney stones (when taking sulphonamides)
• Abnormal blood clotting (when taking some cephalosporins)
• Sensitivity to sun (when taking tetracyclines)
• Blood disorders (when taking trimethoprim)
• Deafness (when taking erythromycin and the aminoglycosides)