ANTIBIOTICS: WHAT THEY ARE AND MORE

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*ANTIBIOTICS*

The literal meaning of *Antibiotics* is 'against life' and in this case microorganisms such as bacteria ,fungus etc.

Any drug that kills germs in your body is technically an antibiotic. But most times the term is used when talking about medicine that is meant to kill bacteria.

They do this by killing the bacteria or preventing them from reproducing.

Due to the variety of microbes in existence,antibiotics are of various types which include antibacterial, antifungal,etc,

There is no one type of antibiotic that cures every infection.

*Side effects of Antibiotics*

Side effects of *antibiotics* are usually minimal including vomiting, nausea (feeling like you may vomit), diarrhoea, indigestion, abdominal pain, loss of appetite.

However antibiotics should not be taken without a doctors prescription or consultation of a pharmacist due to several severe side effects that could occur in infants and the elderly, in patients with kidney or liver disease, in pregnant or breastfeeding women.

If you’re taking birth control pills, antibiotics may keep them from working as well as they should, so speak to your doctor about whether alternative birth control methods might be a good idea.

Prolonged use of antibiotics can also lead to vaginal yeast infections, weakened immune response to future attacks and *anti-microbial resistance to antibiotics.*

*Myths About Antibiotics*

The following are misconceptions many people have about Antibiotics

1 Antibiotics can be used as a form of contraceptive

Truth: Antibiotics do not have any effects on fertility or conception

2 Antibiotics can be used to treat viral infections such as HIV or the common cold

Truth: Antibiotics cannot kill viruses

3 The same Antibiotics can be used to treat STI and can be used repeatedly

Truth: some STI such as Gonorrhoea is increasingly hard to treat as it is resistant to some antibiotics and thus using the same treatment might not work.

*When to and not to use antibiotics*

Antibiotics are not the correct choice for all infections.

Antibiotics can be taken when suffering from infections such as;

Acne, strep throat, urinary tract infection, skin infections, conjunctivitis (pink eye) and upper respiratory tract infections.

Most sore throats, cough and colds, flu or acute sinusitis (blocked nostrils) are viral in origin (not bacterial) and do not need an antibiotic because they do not have any effect against the virus.

These viral infections are usually fought off by your immune system without treatment.

*Antibiotics Resistance*

*Antibiotics* resistance is the ability of a microbe (germ) to resist the effects of medication that one could successfully kill the microbe, allowing them to thrive and grow.

Infections caused by this resistance bacteria are more difficult to treat, requiring different medications or higher doses of antibiotics.

This does not mean that the body is resistant but the bacteria itself is.

*Antibiotic* resistant bacteria cannot be fully killed by an antibiotic, even though the antibiotic may have worked effectively before the resistance occurred.

Therefore leading to prolonged infections and in serious cases even death.

*Causes of Antibiotics Resistance*

Microbes are living organisms and as such try to adapt and overcome harsh conditions

[1] Over prescription of antibiotics.

[2] Individuals not finishing the entire antibiotics course (prescription).

[3] Inaccurate administration of adequate antibiotics.

[4] Taking antibiotics when it is not necessary (for viral infections).

[5] Sharing antibiotics with other persons.

[6] Saving leftover antibiotics for a later time.

*How antibiotic resistant bacteria spreads*

Just as bacteria spread from contaminated hands and surfaces so do resistant bacteria spread by the same ways;

1) Through poorly prepared food.

2) Poor hygiene.

3) From contaminated hospital surfaces.

*THE DO NOTS OF ANTIBIOTICS*

*Do Not* take Antibiotics with alcohol. It might lead to more side effects or weaken the drugs efficiency

Two different types of antibiotics should *NOT* be taken together unless prescribed by your doctor.

*Do Not* skip doses or stop taking an antibiotic early, even if you no longer feel sick.

*Do Not* save antibiotics for the next time you become sick.

*Do Not* take antibiotics prescribed for someone else, even if you have the same symptoms.

*Do Not* take antibiotics with milk or fruit juice.

*How to prevent antibiotics resistance*

We as individuals have a major role in preventing antibiotic resistance inorder to facilitate the proper function of this drugs;

1) Do not use antibiotics to treat viral infections such as the common cold,influenza etc.

2) Use antibiotics only when it is prescribed by a doctor or pharmacist.

3) When prescribed antibiotics ,ensure that you take the full prescription even when you feel better.

4) Do not share antibiotics with others or use left over medication for self-treatment.

5) Advise family and friends to seek a Doctor or Pharmacist before taking any antibiotics.

6) Share this information.

By: Aikhomu Onose Ella and Osunde Peter Nosa