What are antibiotics?
Antibiotics are medicines used to kill or stop the growth of harmful bacteria that cause diseases. They are used to treat bacterial infections in humans and animals.
Antibiotics do not work against viral infections such as the common cold or COVID-19.
Antibiotics help:
Destroy harmful bacteria
Prevent bacterial growth
Treat bacterial diseases
Reduce infection spread
Different antibiotics act in different ways, such as:
Destroying bacterial cell walls
Preventing bacteria from reproducing
Blocking important bacterial processes
This helps the immune system remove the infection.
| Antibiotic | Common Use |
|---|---|
| Penicillin | Treats various bacterial infections |
| Amoxicillin | Respiratory and throat infections |
| Streptomycin | Tuberculosis treatment |
| Tetracycline | Skin and bacterial infections |
Antibiotics are used for diseases such as:
Tuberculosis
Typhoid
Cholera
Pneumonia
Bacterial throat infections
Antibiotics should:
Be taken only on medical advice
Be completed for the full prescribed course
Not be used unnecessarily
Improper use can cause antibiotic resistance.
When bacteria become resistant:
Antibiotics become less effective
Infections become harder to treat
This happens due to:
Overuse of antibiotics
Incomplete treatment
Self-medication
Antibiotics are important because they:
Save lives
Control bacterial diseases
Support modern medical treatment
Responsible use of antibiotics is essential to maintain their effectiveness.