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Antibiotics F.A.Q.

What are antibiotics?

Antibiotics are medicines that fight infections caused by bacteria in humans and animals. They work by either killing the bacteria or stopping them from growing and multiplying. Bacteria are tiny organisms that live in the environment and inside and outside of our bodies. Most bacteria are harmless and even helpful, but some can cause diseases, such as strep throat, urinary tract infections, or pneumonia.

Why are antibiotics important?

Antibiotics are important to treat bacterial infections and save lives. They can prevent serious complications from infections, such as sepsis, which is the body's extreme response to infection. Antibiotics can also help to prevent the spread of infections to other people.

When should I use antibiotics?

You should use antibiotics only when they are prescribed by a health care provider who knows your medical history and condition. Antibiotics should be used only for infections that are caused by bacteria and that need antibiotic treatment. Some examples of bacterial infections that may need antibiotics are:

•  Strep throat

•  Whooping cough

•  Urinary tract infection

•  Skin infection

•  Meningitis

•  Tuberculosis

Mechanism of Action of Antibiotics

When should I not use antibiotics?

You should not use antibiotics for infections that are caused by viruses or that do not need antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics do not work against viruses, such as those that cause:

•  Colds and flu

•  COVID-19

•  Most sore throats (except strep throat)

•  Most cases of bronchitis

•  Most ear infections

You should also not use antibiotics for some bacterial infections that usually get better on their own, such as:

•  Many sinus infections

•  Some ear infections

•  Pink eye (conjunctivitis)

Using antibiotics when they are not needed can cause more harm than good. It can lead to side effects, such as rash, nausea, diarrhea, yeast infections, or allergic reactions. It can also contribute to antibiotic resistance, which is when bacteria become resistant to the effects of antibiotics and harder to treat.

Antibiotics and Colds

How should I take antibiotics?

If you are prescribed antibiotics, you should follow the instructions from your health care provider and the label on the medicine bottle. You should:

•  Take the right dose at the right time

•  Take the antibiotic for the full duration of treatment, even if you feel better

•  Do not skip doses or stop taking the antibiotic early

•  Do not share your antibiotic with others or use leftover antibiotics

Taking antibiotics correctly can help to ensure their effectiveness and prevent side effects and resistance.

What are some common types of antibiotics?

There are many different types of antibiotics that belong to different classes. Each class has a different way of fighting bacteria and is used for different types of infections. Some common classes of antibiotics are:

•  Penicillins, such as amoxicillin, penicillin V, or ampicillin. They are used for infections such as strep throat, ear infections, or skin infections.

•  Cephalosporins, such as cephalexin, cefuroxime, or ceftriaxone. They are used for infections such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia, or meningitis.

•  Macrolides, such as azithromycin, clarithromycin, or erythromycin. They are used for infections such as bronchitis, sinusitis, or whooping cough.

•  Fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, or moxifloxacin. They are used for infections such as urinary tract infections, prostatitis, or anthrax.

•  Tetracyclines, such as doxycycline, minocycline, or tetracycline. They are used for infections such as acne, chlamydia, or Lyme disease.

•  Sulfonamides, such as sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim or sulfadiazine. They are used for infections such as urinary tract infections, ear infections, or toxoplasmosis

Your health care provider will choose the best type of antibiotic for your infection based on your medical history and condition.

What does "susceptible" mean when it comes to antibiotics?

Susceptible is a term that is used to describe how sensitive a bacterium is to an antibiotic. When a bacterium is susceptible to an antibiotic, it means that the antibiotic can kill or stop the growth of the bacterium. For example, if a bacterium is susceptible to penicillin, it means that penicillin can treat the infection caused by that bacterium. On the other hand, if a bacterium is resistant to an antibiotic, it means that the antibiotic cannot affect the bacterium. For example, if a bacterium is resistant to penicillin, it means that penicillin cannot treat the infection caused by that bacterium. Therefore, knowing the susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotics is important for choosing the right treatment for infections .

What is antibiotic resistance?

Antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria to survive or grow in the presence of antibiotics that normally kill or inhibit them. Antibiotics are drugs that are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. However, some bacteria can develop mechanisms to avoid the effects of antibiotics, such as changing their structure, producing enzymes that destroy the antibiotics, or pumping out the antibiotics from their cells. When this happens, the antibiotics become less effective or ineffective against those bacteria. This means that the infections caused by those bacteria become harder to treat and may require higher doses or different types of antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance is a serious threat to public health, as it can lead to increased morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Therefore, it is important to use antibiotics wisely and only when prescribed by a doctor.

How do resistant bacteria in food animals end up in our food?

Resistant bacteria are bacteria that can survive or grow in the presence of antibiotics that normally kill or inhibit them. Food animals, such as cattle, pigs, and poultry, are often given antibiotics to prevent or treat infections, or to promote their growth. However, this can lead to the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria among the animals. These resistant bacteria can end up in our food through different ways, such as:

•  Contamination of animal products: Resistant bacteria can contaminate the meat, milk, or eggs of food animals during slaughter, processing, or packaging. For example, resistant bacteria can be found on the skin or in the intestines of animals and can transfer to the meat during cutting or grinding.

•  Contamination of crops: Resistant bacteria can contaminate the crops that are grown for human consumption through the use of animal manure as fertilizer or irrigation water. For example, resistant bacteria can be present in the feces of animals and can leach into the soil or water sources and reach the plants.

•  Contamination of environment: Resistant bacteria can contaminate the environment through the disposal of animal waste or runoff from animal farms. For example, resistant bacteria can be carried by wind, water, or wildlife and reach other animals or humans.

Therefore, it is important to prevent or reduce the transmission of resistant bacteria from food animals to our food by following good agricultural and hygiene practices.

How do people get infections with resistant bacteria from animals?

People can get infections with resistant bacteria from animals through different ways, such as:

•  Eating or handling contaminated food: People can get infected by eating or handling food that is contaminated with resistant bacteria from animals. For example, people can get sick by eating undercooked meat, drinking unpasteurized milk, or touching raw eggs that have resistant bacteria on them. To prevent this, people should cook food thoroughly, wash their hands before and after handling food, and avoid cross-contamination of food items.

•  Contact with animals or their environment: People can get infected by direct or indirect contact with animals or their environment that carry resistant bacteria. For example, people can get sick by touching, petting, or kissing animals that have resistant bacteria on their skin or fur, or by breathing in dust or aerosols that contain resistant bacteria from animal feces or bedding. To prevent this, people should wash their hands after contact with animals or their environment, wear protective clothing and equipment when working with animals, and avoid contact with sick or dead animals.

•  Exposure to human carriers: People can get infected by exposure to other people who are carriers of resistant bacteria from animals. For example, people can get sick by sharing personal items, having close contact, or exchanging body fluids with people who have resistant bacteria in their nose, throat, skin, or gut. To prevent this, people should practice good hygiene, cover their coughs and sneezes, and seek medical attention if they have symptoms of infection.

What effects do resistant infections have on people?

Resistant infections are infections that are caused by bacteria that can survive or grow in the presence of antibiotics that normally kill or inhibit them. Resistant infections can have serious effects on people, such as:

•  Increased severity and duration of illness: Resistant infections can make people sicker and take longer to recover than infections caused by susceptible bacteria. For example, resistant infections can cause more severe symptoms, such as fever, pain, inflammation, or organ damage. They can also last longer, as the antibiotics cannot clear the bacteria from the body effectively.

•  Increased risk of complications and death: Resistant infections can increase the risk of developing complications and dying from the infection or its consequences. For example, resistant infections can spread to other parts of the body, such as the blood, brain, or lungs, and cause life-threatening conditions, such as sepsis, meningitis, or pneumonia. They can also worsen existing conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, and increase the risk of mortality.

•  Increased health care costs and burden: Resistant infections can increase the health care costs and burden for individuals and society. For example, resistant infections can require more expensive or toxic antibiotics, more frequent or longer hospitalizations, more intensive or invasive treatments, such as surgery or dialysis, and more follow-up care or rehabilitation. They can also reduce the quality of life and productivity of patients and caregivers, and contribute to the spread of resistance among other bacteria and people.

What are some other consequences of antibiotic resistance?

Antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria to survive or grow in the presence of antibiotics that normally kill or inhibit them. Antibiotic resistance can have serious consequences not only for human health, but also for animal health, food security, and the environment. Some of these consequences are:

•  Reduced effectiveness of existing antibiotics: Antibiotic resistance can reduce the effectiveness of existing antibiotics, as they become less able or unable to kill or stop the growth of resistant bacteria. This means that there are fewer options to treat infections caused by resistant bacteria, and that some infections may become untreatable or incurable. For example, some strains of tuberculosis, gonorrhea, and staphylococcus aureus have become resistant to multiple or all available antibiotics.

•  Increased need for new antibiotics: Antibiotic resistance can increase the need for new antibiotics, as there is a constant demand for new drugs that can overcome the resistance mechanisms of bacteria. However, developing new antibiotics is a costly, time-consuming, and risky process, as it requires extensive research, testing, and approval. Moreover, there is a lack of incentives and investment for new antibiotic discovery and development, as the return on investment is low compared to other drugs.

•  Increased risk of zoonotic diseases: Antibiotic resistance can increase the risk of zoonotic diseases, which are diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Many bacteria that cause zoonotic diseases are resistant to antibiotics, as they have been exposed to antibiotics through the use of antibiotics in animal farming or veterinary medicine. For example, salmonella, campylobacter, and E. coli are common bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses in humans and are resistant to several antibiotics.

•  Increased threat to food security: Antibiotic resistance can increase the threat to food security, as it can affect the health and productivity of food animals and crops. Resistant infections can cause morbidity and mortality in food animals, such as cattle, pigs, and poultry, and reduce their growth and yield. Resistant infections can also affect the quality and safety of animal products, such as meat, milk, and eggs, and increase the risk of contamination and spoilage. Resistant infections can also affect the health and yield of crops, such as fruits and vegetables, by reducing their resistance to pests and diseases.

•  Increased impact on the environment: Antibiotic resistance can increase the impact on the environment, as it can alter the balance and diversity of microbial ecosystems. Resistant bacteria can persist and spread in the environment through various pathways, such as animal waste, wastewater, runoff, or wildlife. Resistant bacteria can also transfer their resistance genes to other bacteria in the environment, creating new resistant strains. Resistant bacteria can affect the functioning and services of natural ecosystems, such as soil fertility, water quality, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity.

 

 
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