Modern medicine is, perhaps, already impossible without antibiotics. They are universally known as medications given in case of infection intended for killing bacteria. Perhaps, you have heard the word but know not for sure what it means. This article will give you the full information on the topic.

• Antibiotics refer to antimicrobials as well as antifungals, antiprotozoals and antivirals. But unlike antivirals antibiotics fight bacteria and not viruses (a bacterium lives and reproduces while a virus is just a piece of DNA or RNA and therefore there is nothing to kill in the latter case). There are different kinds of antibiotics purposed for killing certain types of bacteria.
• In earlier ages mouldy foods or soil were used in the purposes to fight infections. Antibiotics became known only in the 20^th century. Nowadays there are differentiated two groups: broad spectrum antibiotics and narrow spectrum ones. The former indicate the killer for many different types of bacteria; the latter are intended for only a small bacteria group.
• The mode of administration presupposes antibiotics to be taken during the whole time of treatment for the medication to produce effect. It is a mistake to stop the course with the first symptoms of improvement as the infection can return or the bacteria will work out resistance to a drug. It is also important to read the medication label carefully as the effectiveness of some drugs can be reduced if they are taken with food.
• Antibiotics are considered safe drugs but as any medication they are able to produce some adverse effects. Among them stomach upset, nausea, and diarrhea. In some people they sometimes evoke allergic reaction. Among other drawbacks – bacterial resistance; in this case another type of antibiotic should be taken.
• As antibiotics are intended to kill bacteria it often happens that together with so-called bad bacteria so-called good ones get killed.
• Antibiotics can cause diarrhea and the probability is higher if the administration is long-term. In case you have such a side effect better consult your doctor on the account. Another side effect is yeast overgrowth.
• Once again the following cases are not cured with the help of antibiotics: colds, flu, runny nose, particular ear infections, sore throats, coughs and bronchitis, stomach flu.
• They are used in the following conditions: sinus infections, strep throat, infections of urinary tract, skin and wound infections, some ear infections as well.
• There are cases when it is hard to tell whether the illness is due to bacteria or viruses. In this case a test called a culture is carried out. Then, is bacteria were detected as a cause a choice of antibiotic is made by a doctor according to his or her professional experience and knowledge.
• What concerns antibiotic resistance it happens when bacteria change in such a way that they stop reacting to a drug and it becomes ineffective. As a result bacteria grow and multiply further leading to longer and more severe illness; in this case stronger and more toxic antibiotics are required.