Antibiotics:
The discovery of antibiotics is one of the greatest achievements in the history of medicine. Before them, infections that are now treated with a few days of medication could be fatal. But this life-saving class of drugs loses its power when used incorrectly. In this article, we explain what antibiotics are, how they work, when they are needed, and why their misuse is a risk to everyone.
What Are Antibiotics?
Antibiotics are drugs used to treat or prevent bacterial infections. The first major antibiotic, penicillin, was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928 and came into widespread medical use in the 1940s.
Antibiotics work in two main ways:
- Killing bacteria: They destroy bacteria directly, for example by breaking down the cell wall.
- Stopping bacterial growth: They halt bacterial reproduction so the immune system can bring the infection under control.
There are many classes of antibiotics, and each acts on particular types of bacteria. This is why the choice of drug must be based on the type of infection and a doctor’s diagnosis.
Key Point: Antibiotics Do Not Work on Viruses
One of the most common mistakes is taking antibiotics for viral illnesses. The common cold, influenza, most sore throats, most acute coughs, and COVID-19 are all caused by viruses. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses: they do not cure the illness faster and do not prevent its spread. In these cases, taking them brings only side effects and a higher risk of drug resistance.
Occasionally, a secondary bacterial infection develops after a viral illness. Identifying this situation is the doctor’s job, not a matter of guesswork or personal experience.
Antibiotic Resistance: A Global Threat
Antibiotic resistance means that bacteria learn to survive a drug that once killed them. Importantly, it is not your body that becomes resistant, but the bacteria.
This process is partly natural, but overuse greatly accelerates it. Each time antibiotics are used, susceptible bacteria are killed while resistant ones are left free to multiply. The World Health Organization regards antibiotic resistance as one of the most important public health threats worldwide. A major study published in The Lancet in 2022 estimated that in 2019, about 1.27 million deaths were directly attributable to drug-resistant bacterial infections.
The consequences are serious: simple infections may become difficult or impossible to treat, and surgery, chemotherapy, and childbirth become riskier.
Common Mistakes in Antibiotic Use
Self-medicating. Taking antibiotics without a prescription, or using leftovers from a previous illness, is one of the main drivers of resistance. The earlier medication may not suit the current infection.
Recommending them to others. An infection that was treated in you is not necessarily the same as someone else’s. One person’s prescription should never be passed on to another.
Stopping early. This advice has become more nuanced in recent years. The traditional guidance was always to finish the course, and the core principle still stands: your doctor determines the duration of treatment. For some infections, shorter courses are now known to be sufficient. So without consulting your doctor, do not stop the medication on your own, and do not extend it either. If you feel better before the course is finished, ask your doctor what to do.
Using them “just in case.” Antibiotics should not be taken as a precaution. Prevention is recommended only in specific medical situations, such as certain surgeries.
Pressuring the doctor. Sometimes patients ask their doctors to prescribe antibiotics. If a doctor says the illness is viral and antibiotics are not needed, that is a scientific decision, not negligence.
Possible Side Effects
Antibiotics are effective and, in most cases, safe, but they do have side effects:
- Digestive problems: Nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are among the most common. Antibiotics affect the beneficial bacteria in the gut as well as the harmful ones.
- Allergic reactions: These range from mild skin rashes to severe and dangerous reactions such as difficulty breathing or swelling of the face and throat. If severe symptoms occur, go to the emergency room immediately. If you are allergic to any drug, always tell your doctor and pharmacist.
- Fungal infections: Such as oral thrush or vaginal yeast infections.
- Class-specific effects: Some groups of antibiotics have particular side effects, such as sensitivity to sunlight or interactions with other medications.
Severe, bloody, or prolonged diarrhea during or after antibiotic use requires medical evaluation, as it may be a sign of an intestinal infection caused by the bacterium Clostridioides difficile.
Common Beliefs: True or False?
“A stronger antibiotic is better.” False. The best antibiotic is the one suited to the specific bacteria, not the strongest one.
“Antibiotics weaken the immune system.” This is not accurate. Antibiotics do not directly weaken immunity, but they can temporarily disrupt the balance of gut bacteria.
“You can never drink alcohol with antibiotics.” This depends on the drug. With some, such as metronidazole, alcohol can cause unpleasant reactions. In any case, ask your pharmacist or doctor.
“Probiotics always prevent side effects.” Evidence suggests probiotics may reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in some people, but the effect is not the same for everyone, and probiotics are not a substitute for medical advice.
Practical Recommendations
- Take antibiotics only when prescribed by a doctor, and do not request them for viral illnesses.
- Follow the instructions precisely: dose, timing, and duration exactly as prescribed.
- Ask how to take them: whether with food or not, and what to avoid while taking them.
- Tell your doctor about any allergies and all other medications you take.
- Do not save leftover antibiotics or give them to others. Dispose of unused medication as advised by your pharmacy.
- Reduce the need for antibiotics through prevention: regular handwashing, food hygiene, and timely vaccination help prevent infections.
- If you do not improve after a few days, or you get worse, see your doctor again.
Conclusion
Antibiotics are valuable, life-saving drugs, but they are a limited resource. Every unnecessary use reduces their effectiveness, for us and for future generations. The principle is simple: antibiotics only for bacterial infections, only with a doctor’s diagnosis, and exactly as directed. Preserving their power is a shared responsibility.
Note: This article is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice.
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