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What are Antibiotics?

Antibiotics are medications that fight against bacterial infections in the body. They play a significant role in medicine.
Some of the functions performed by antibiotic drugs include;
 

• Slowing down the cell reproduction process
• Obliterating bacterial cells
• Altering within the cell an important cellular function

Antibiotics perform their function in two terms. They are:

1. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC):

This is the lowest antibiotic concentration that can stop bacterial growth at 24 hours.

2. Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC):

This concentration of antibiotic can lower the density of bacteria by 1000 folds in 24 hours.
When it comes to children, antibiotics may not be used to treat sore throat, ear infections, and chest infections.

Types of Antibiotics

Below is a list of antibiotics, including some common ones used frequently for treatment:

1. Penicillins

There are several infections that are cured with Penicillin antibiotics. This is a beta-lactam antibiotic used mainly against several bacterial species, such as gram-positive rods, gram-negative cocci and more.

However, some gram-negative bacteria in which this penicillin doesn’t work as the bacteria have become resistant to this particular penicillin. In such cases, more advanced versions of later generation penicillin with broad-spectrum works against the gram-negative bacteria.

2. Quinolones

This is a group of bactericidal antibiotics that is useful in killing bacterial cells. The drug is administered primarily via oral and intravenous routes to allow them to rapidly absorb in the body. But, this rapid distribution across the body sometimes makes getting into the cerebrospinal fluid difficult.

3. Lincomycins

This is another antibiotic used to cure many serious bacterial infections. They are generally prescribed if regular penicillin does not work for a particular infection. They may either be effective alone or can work in combination with other antibiotics. Lincomycins are a member of the Lincosamide family of drugs and are derived from Streptomyces lincolnensis through the natural fermentation process.

4. Macrolides

This antibiotic has antifungal properties, which is helpful in antimicrobial therapy. Azithromycin, clarithromycin, and erythromycin are some types of macrolides which are common antibiotics used in the treatment of pneumonia, sinusitis, tonsillitis etc.

In addition to the above, several other types of antibiotics are available, such as Tetracyclines, Cephalosporins, Sulfonamides and Glycopeptides, etc., that are used against several life-threatening infections.

How to Consume Antibiotics?

Doctors generally prescribe antibiotics as a treatment for bacterial infections. It is important to note that you shouldn’t take antibiotics on your own without a doctor’s recommendation. Once you start consuming antibiotics, the course should be completed despite feeling better within a few doses of consuming the drug. A single antibiotic cannot handle different infections. Rather, there are special antibiotics meant for different infections that are recommended by doctors. Also, note that antibiotics don’t work against viral infections.