ANTIBIOTICS: HOW DO THEY WORK?

 

WHAT IS AN ANTIBIOTIC?

        Antibiotics are medicines that are used to treat bacterial infections. In 1936, antibiotics were used for the first time to treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics have made it possible to treat late infections.

Antibiotics are still effective life-saving treatments for those suffering from serious infections today. They can also keep infections that aren't as serious from becoming more serious.

CLASSES OF ANTIBIOTICS:

          There are many classes of antibiotics. Certain types of antibiotics work against specific type of bacterial infections. Antibiotics come in many forms:

·         Tablets

·         Capsules

·         Liquids

·         Creams

·         Ointments

          Most antibiotics are only available with your doctor prescription. Some are available over the counter.

TYPES OF ANTIBIOTICS:

           Mainly there are two types of antibiotics that are bactericidal and bacteriostatic.

•        BACTERICIDAL: 

          Antibiotics that are bactericidal kill germs directly. The antibiotic damages the bacteria's plasma membrane, causing their contents to flow out. Because of osmosis, bacteria and other cells must maintain a precise balance of ions on both sides of the plasma membrane in normal circumstances. These medicines upset the bacterial balance, allowing other essential components like DNA and RNA to leak out, resulting in the bacterium's death.

•           BACTERIOSTATIC:  

              Antibiotics that inhibit bacterial growth are known as bacteriostatic antibiotics. Bacteria in our bodies generally divide quite quickly, and their numbers can swiftly spiral out of control. The host's immune system will be able to get rid of the bacteria if an antibiotic stops them from multiplying and dividing.

          Other types of antibiotics are narrow spectrum and broad spectrum antibiotics:

•        NARROW SPECTRUM ANTIBIOTICS:

                 Antibiotics with a narrow spectrum of activity are only effective against a few number of microorganisms. It frequently has to do with an antibiotic's ability to penetrate the bacterial membrane. Gram positive bacteria have a relatively loose outer wall that can be diffused by any antibody, whereas gram negative bacteria have a relatively hard membrane that can only be penetrated by specific antibiotics.

•          BROAD SPECTRUM ANTIBIOTICS:

                   Broad-spectrum antibiotics are effective against a wide range of bacteria.

HOW DO ANTIBIOTICS WORK?

          Antibiotics treat bacterial illnesses in a variety of ways, many of which entail interfering with bacteria's ability to survive and proliferate in the human body.

Bacteria have cell walls that protect them from the harsh conditions within your body. The delicate core of the cell, which houses the DNA and crucial proteins that bacteria utilise to reproduce asexually, is protected by these cell walls. Antibiotics are usually effective in one of three ways:

1. Antibiotics kill bacteria by rupturing or preventing the bacteria's protective cell walls from developing in the first place.
3. Antibiotics prevent bacteria from copying their DNA, which is required for reproduction.
4. Antibiotics disrupt the metabolism of bacteria, making it difficult for them to reproduce and spread throughout the body.

WHAT DO ANTIBIOTICS TREAT?

            Doctors prescribe antibiotics for all types of bacterial infections from minor strep throat or urinary tract infections to severe, life-threatening conditions such as bacterial pneumonia or sepsis.

       "The properties of some antibiotics make them amenable to other medical conditions, as well,” says Anthony Kaveh, MD, physician

            Antibiotics can also have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help with viral infection-related inflammation. For example, researchers are looking into how the antibiotic azithromycin can aid COVID-19 patients by reducing inflammation.

           Kaveh, on the other hand, reminds out that "This effect of antibiotics is still being studied. One of these antibiotics is azithromycin. It's probable that some of azithromycin's observed success stems from its anti-inflammatory properties."

HOW LONG ANTIBODY TAKE TO DO WORK?

            Antibiotics start working as soon as you start taking them. However, it's possible that you won't feel better for another two to three days. Antibiotics should be administered for 7 to 14 days in most cases. Shorter treatments can sometimes be just as effective. Your doctor will choose the appropriate antibiotic type and duration of treatment for you. Even if you feel better after a few days of therapy, it's crucial to finish the antibiotic programme to get rid of your infection completely. This may also assist in the prevention of antibiotic resistance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE