Antibiotic drugs: their proper use
Antibacterial antibiotics are chemotherapeutic drugs used to treat or prevent bacterial infections. They can either lead to the destruction of bacteria (bactericidal) or inhibit the growth of bacteria (bacteriostatic).
There are many types of bacteria, and some are useful and protective for humans, as they are inherent and grow naturally in the human body to protect it (normal flora). However, infection with some of them may cause serious diseases, such as meningitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, etc. Bacterial infections are treated with antimicrobial antibiotics.
Antimicrobial drugs can be classified based on the focus of their action: “narrow-spectrum” antibiotics, which target specific types of bacteria, such as Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria, while broad-spectrum antibiotics are effective against a wide range of bacteria.
Antibiotics, in addition to treating existing infections, can be used to prevent infection, such as before surgery, i.e. as “prophylactic” use. Not all antibiotics treat every bacterial disease – and taking the wrong type of antibiotic can be dangerous and contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance. Because antibiotics are a special class of drugs, they must be taken under specific doctor’s instructions.
Therefore, their proper use is essential to effectively fight bacterial infections and reduce the risk of developing antimicrobial resistance.
Some ways to achieve this goal include:
- Take antibiotics only with a doctor’s prescription: Antibiotics should be taken only when necessary and with a doctor’s prescription, avoiding taking them for viral infections, such as the flu and the common cold, in which they are not effective.
- Prevent infections: Implementing basic hygiene practices, such as frequent hand washing, vaccination, and disinfection, reduce the spread of bacterial infections and the need for antibiotics.
- Adherence to the dose and duration of treatment: It is important to complete the treatment as prescribed, even if the patient feels better before the end of the treatment, as premature discontinuation can lead to antimicrobial resistance.
- Reducing the use of antibiotics in animals: Reducing the use of antibiotics in animal production contributes to the reduction of resistant bacteria that can be transferred to humans through the food chain.
- Promoting alternative treatments: The use of analgesics or antipyretics for mild infections can reduce the need for antibiotics.
