ANTIBIOTICS

INTRODUCTION Infections are very common and are responsible for a large number of diseases adversely affecting human health. Most of the infectious diseases are caused by bacteria. Before bacteria can multiply and cause symptoms, the body's immune system can usually destroy them. We have special white blood cells that attack harmful bacteria. Even if symptoms do occur, our immune system can usually cope and fight off the infection. There are occasions, however, when it is all too much and some help is needed.....from antibiotics

Antibiotics, also known ‘as antibacterials, are types of medications that destroy or slow down the growth of bacteria’. The Greek word anti means "against", and the Greek word bios means "life" (bacteria are life forms).   Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Bacteria are microscopic organisms, some of which may cause illness.

Classifications

Bactericidal antibiotics kill the bacteria. Bacteriostatic antibiotics halt the growth of bacteria. A broad-spectrum antibiotic can be used to treat a wide range of infections. A narrow-spectrum antibiotic is only effective against a few types of bacteria.

Early History During ancient times; Greeks and Indians used moulds and other plants to treat infections. In Greece and Serbia, mouldy bread was traditionally used to treat wounds and infections. Warm soil was used in Russia by peasants to cure infected wounds. Sumerian doctors gave patients beer soup mixed with turtle shells and snake skins. Babylonian doctors healed the eyes using a mixture of frog bile and sour milk. Sri Lankan army used oil cake to server both as desiccant and antibacterial.

The Discovery of Antibiotics Antibiotics transformed medicine. The discovery of antibiotics began by accident. On the morning of September 3rd, 1928, Professor Alexander Fleming was having a clear up of his cluttered laboratory. Fleming happened to notice that a culture plate of bacteria that had been left lying around over a weekend had grown a mould. There was nothing unusual about that and Fleming was about to throw the plate away when he noticed that there was a clear area around the mould. He became curious when he realised that the mould was producing a substance that could kill the bacteria.

Slide showing clear area around the mould

This led to further research and Fleming eventually extracted the active product from cultures of the mould. It was named penicillin after the Penicillium mould that had produced it. Although far from the purified penicillin we use today, this rough extract was still powerful enough to cure a few mice from a severe bacterial infection, suggesting that it might do the same in humans.

Ten years later, three other scientists, Howard Florey, Ernst Chain and Norman Heatley, all working in England, finally perfected the method. Florey got an American drugs company to mass produce it to treat all the bacterial infections that broke out among the troops. Penicillin got nicknamed “the wonder drug” and in 1945 Fleming, Chain and Florey were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine. Post-1945 was the era of the antibiotics.

WHAT ARE ANTIBIOTICS MADE FROM? Most of the today’s antibiotics are derived from natural substances. Antibiotics can be produced from fungi or bacteria, in order to kill off other fungi or bacteria.

How do antibiotics work? Although there are a number of different types of antibiotic they all work in one of two ways: A bactericidal antibiotic kills the bacteria. Penicillin is a bactericidal. A bactericidal usually either interferes with the formation of the bacterium's cell wall or its cell contents. A bacteriostatic stops bacteria from multiplying.

How to use antibiotics Antibiotics are usually taken by mouth (orally); however, they can also be administered by injection, or applied directly to the affected part of the body. Most antibiotics start having an effect on an infection within a few hours. It is important to remember to complete the whole course of the medication to prevent the infection from coming back.

If you do not complete the course, there is a higher chance the bacteria may become resistant to future treatments - because the ones that survive when you did not complete the course have had some exposure to the antibiotic and may consequently have built up a resistance to it. Even if you are feeling better, you still need to complete the course. Overusing antibiotics - There is concern worldwide that antibiotics are being overused. Antibiotic overuse is one of the factors that contributes towards the growing number of bacterial infections which are becoming resistant to antibacterial medications.

Some antibiotics should not be consumed with certain foods and drinks Some antibiotics should not be consumed with certain foods and drinks. Others should not be taken with food in your stomach - these would normally be taken about an hour before meals, or two hours after. It is crucial that you follow the instructions correctly if you want the medication to be effective Dairy products should not be consumed if you are taking tetracyclines, as they might affect the absorption of the medication.

Allergic reactions to antibiotics Some patients may develop an allergic reaction to antibiotics - especially penicillins. Side effects might include a rash, swelling of the tongue and face, and difficulty breathing. Reactions to antibiotics can be very serious, and sometimes fatal - they are called anaphylactic reactions. Use antibiotics with extreme caution and ensure you inform your doctor/pharmacist if: You have reduced liver or kidney function. You are pregnant You are breastfeeding