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Antibiotics are a very important part of modern medicine. These medications are used to fight many infections caused by bacteria. The following facts about antibiotics will help you understand how these drugs work, possible side effects and the importance of taking antibiotics as directed by your doctor.
Antibiotics Do Not Work Against All Infections
Antibiotics work only against infections that are caused by bacteria. These drugs are not effective at all against most viral infections. This is why your doctor will not always prescribe an antibiotic if you have an infection.
Some antibiotics are effective against only certain types of bacteria; others can effectively fight a wide range of bacteria. Bacterial infections include strep throat, most (but not all) ear infections, and some sinus, bladder and lung infections. Not all bacterial infections require treatment with an antibiotic. Based on your illness and symptoms (and laboratory tests, if necessary), your doctor can determine if prescribing an antibiotic is appropriate. Your doctor will then select the antibiotic that will work best for your infection.
Most common infections (such as colds, bronchitis and sore throats) are caused by viruses. Antibiotics should not be used for these viral infections because they don't help, they may cause side effects, and overuse of antibiotics contributes to the growing problem of bacterial resistance. Some viral infections, such as herpes infection, some cases of influenza and HIV/AIDS, can be treated with antiviral drugs.
Antibiotics May Cause Side Effects.
Bacteria Can Become Resistant to an Antibiotic
Bacteria can become resistant to an antibiotic that was previously effective. Resistance is most likely to develop after long-term treatment with an antibiotic or with antibiotics that kill a wide variety of bacteria. Resistance is a growing problem. This resistance is ascribed to overuse of antibiotics, especially for common viral infections, and taking antibiotics inappropriately, such as not completing the prescription so bacteria are exposed to the antibiotic but not killed by it.
It Is Very Important That Antibiotics Be Taken as Prescribed
Antibiotics only should be used when prescribed by your doctor. Consult with your doctor before taking any other medications (including over-the-counter medications). You should never take antibiotics given to you by someone else or prescribed for a previous illness. Below are three basic guides to help ensure that your antibiotic treatment will be effective:
1. Always take the prescribed dosage. The dosage is a very important factor in antibiotic effectiveness. If the dosage of the antibiotic is not adequate, it will not be effective for treatment of the infection and bacteria are more likely to develop resistance. This is because the bacteria can continue to grow and develop ways to disrupt the antibiotic's effects.
2. Antibiotics must be taken for the full amount of time prescribed by your doctor. Many times, patients will stop the use of an antibiotic when they begin to feel better and it seems that the illness has gone. However, even after the symptoms are gone, the bacteria may still be present in small amounts and an infection can return if use of the antibiotic is stopped. Not completing the prescribed dose also may promote resistance.
3. Antibiotics should not be saved and reused. You should always take the full course of antibiotic treatment, so none of the drug should be "left over." However, if this has occurred the antibiotics should not be taken to treat any other illness. Different types of infections require different types of antibiotics, so taking leftover medications is often not effective. In addition, there would only be a partial prescription left, and not taking a full course of treatment can cause the problems listed above.
Always Consult Your Doctor If You Have an Infection
Only your doctor can determine if you have an infection, if an antibiotic will be effective in treating your infection, and which treatment is safe for you to take.