Antibiotic therapy
Antibiotic Therapy
Antibiotic therapy (pronunciation: /æntɪbaɪˈɒtɪk θɛrəpi/) refers to the use of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. The term is derived from the Greek words 'anti' meaning against, and 'bios' meaning life.
History
The concept of antibiotic therapy began with the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928. This marked the beginning of the antibiotic era, a period of rapid development and use of antibiotics to treat a variety of bacterial infections.
Types of Antibiotic Therapy
There are several types of antibiotic therapy, including empirical therapy, definitive therapy, and prophylactic therapy. Empirical therapy involves the use of antibiotics before the specific bacteria causing the infection is known. Definitive therapy involves the use of antibiotics after the specific bacteria has been identified. Prophylactic therapy involves the use of antibiotics to prevent an infection from occurring.
Mechanism of Action
Antibiotics work by either killing the bacteria (bactericidal) or inhibiting their growth (bacteriostatic). The mechanism of action varies depending on the type of antibiotic. Some antibiotics, such as penicillins and cephalosporins, work by inhibiting the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall. Others, such as tetracyclines and macrolides, work by inhibiting protein synthesis.
Side Effects
Like all medications, antibiotics can cause side effects. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and allergic reactions. More serious side effects can include Clostridium difficile infection, antibiotic resistance, and anaphylaxis.
Antibiotic Resistance
One of the major challenges in antibiotic therapy is antibiotic resistance, which occurs when bacteria evolve mechanisms to survive exposure to antibiotics. This can lead to the development of superbugs, bacteria that are resistant to multiple types of antibiotics.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Antibiotic therapy
- Wikipedia's article - Antibiotic therapy
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