Sometimes when a person is sick, the doctor prescribes a type of medicine called an antibiotic. Antibiotics treat illnesses and infections caused by bacteria, or tiny organisms. Patients may take antibiotics by swallowing a pill or a liquid, by applying a cream to the skin, or by getting an injection, or shot. Doctors use antibiotics to cure serious diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and meningitis. Antibiotics can also fight common problems such as acne and strep throat. Antibiotics do not work against illnesses caused by viruses. Viruses cause most sore throats, coughs, and common colds. Antibiotic resistanceAntibiotics work by killing bacteria or by preventing them from multiplying. Sometimes, however, not all the bacteria die. The bacteria that survive are said to have a resistance to the antibiotic. As those bacteria multiply, they pass on the resistance to new bacteria. The next time those bacteria are exposed to the same antibiotic, even fewer of them die. Therefore, the illness caused by the bacteria does not go away, even though the person is taking medicine. That problem is called antibiotic resistance. When enough types of bacteria become resistant to an antibiotic, that drug is no longer used for treatment. Scientists are working to find new antibiotics to replace old ones. Because there are more resistant bacteria, it is becoming difficult to find new antibiotics. Using antibiotics wisely can help prevent antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics should be taken only when needed. It is also important to follow the doctor's directions when taking antibiotics. People may feel better after a few days of taking the antibiotic, but they should continue to take it for as many days as the doctor ordered. People should never share their antibiotics with others. HistoryAlexander Fleming, a scientist from Scotland, discovered the first antibiotic in 1928. He was studying bacteria. One day he noticed that one of his containers of bacteria had some mold growing in it. Looking closely, he saw that the bacteria in that container were dying. He found the substance in the mold that killed the bacteria and called it penicillin. Penicillin was the first widely used antibiotic. In the early 1940s many doctors used penicillin to treat such infections as tetanus and pneumonia. Scientists soon began searching for and finding new antibiotics. They also began creating artificial antibiotics. Since then antibiotics have saved millions of lives. |