What are antibiotics?
Antibiotics are medicines that help you treat bacterial infections.
They work by killing harmful bacteria or stopping their growth to protect you from them.
Doctors prescribe antibiotics for illnesses like pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and strep throat.
However, note that antibiotics do not work against viruses such as the flu, colds, or most sore throats.
When used correctly, antibiotics can save lives and prevent complications.
Your immune system also plays a key role by attacking bacteria, but antibiotics support it when infections become too strong.
Misusing antibiotics can lead to resistance, making future infections harder to treat.
Always use them as directed by your doctor.
How do antibiotics work?
When it comes to antibiotics, they are of different types and work in unique ways.
Generally, Antibiotics work in two main ways:
A bactericidal type of antibiotic, such as penicillin, works by killing the bacteria.
These medicines interfere with the formation of bacteria cell walls or their cell content.
And its other type, known as bacteriostatic, prevents bacteria from reproducing in your body.
After taking the first dose, you will start feeling better and experience improvement in symptoms.
Antibiotics can take a few hours or days to provide you relief from bacterial infections.
What Can Antibiotics Treat?
Antibiotics are used to treat specific bacterial infections.
They are effective against conditions like strep throat, urinary tract infections, bacterial pneumonia, skin infections, and dental abscesses.
Other treatable infections include whooping cough, meningitis, E. coli infections, and Clostridioides difficile.
Some ear and sinus infections may also need antibiotics, but not always.
They are not effective against viral illnesses like colds or the flu.
Moreover, Taking antibiotics unnecessarily can lead to side effects and antibiotic resistance.
Only a doctor can decide if an antibiotic is right for you based on the type and severity of the infection you have.
Can antibiotics treat viral infections?
Antibiotics will not provide you relief from viral infections.
Do not take them for treating the following ailments:
- Most cases of bronchitis
- Colds and runny noses
- Flu
- Most sore throats
Antibiotics: Know its different types
There are some main types of antibiotics that doctors prescribe for treating some types of bacterial infections.
To decrease the chances of antibiotic resistance, it is necessary to use the right antibiotic for treatment.
After diagnosing the type of infection you have, a doctor will prescribe you antibiotics.
Here are some main types of antibiotics:
- Quinolones (Ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and norfloxacin)
- Penicillin (Amoxicillin, flucloxacillin, and phenoxymethylpenicillin)
- Tetracyclines (Tetracycline, lymecycline, and doxycycline)
- Metronidazole and tinidazole
- Macrolides (Azithromycin, clarithromycin, clindamycin, and erythromycin)
- Trimethoprim and sulfonamides
- Nitrofurantoin
- Cephalosporins
What are the Different Forms of antibiotics?
Antibiotics are available in different forms, including:
Oral antibiotics
These are medicines that you take by mouth and are available in tablets, capsules, or liquid form.
Topical antibiotics
These antibiotics are applied externally to your body. You can rub a cream or antibiotic ointment on the skin.
To treat certain infections, antibiotic drops might be put into your ears or eyes.
Injections and intravenous antibiotics
A doctor can give you these medications through an injection into a muscle or an IV in your vein.
Doctors usually use injections and intravenous injections for treating serious infections.
What is antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance means the ability of bacteria to live and grow even after using these medicines.
With time, bacteria adapt and develop resistance to antibiotics when they are used.
In the end, those antibiotics are not effective in treating bacteria that gain resistance over an antibiotic.
Antibiotic resistance is believed to be largely caused by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics.
Thus, be sure to take antibiotics correctly if you want to treat your bacterial illness properly.
How long do antibiotics take to work?
This will completely depend upon the type of antibiotic you are using and what it is treating.
Irrespective of the condition, it is necessary to complete a full course of antibiotics exactly in the same way as directed by a doctor.
You might start feeling better in just a few days but still complete a full course of treatment.
It is common for symptoms to ease up before the infection has totally gone from your body.
For how long do antibiotics stay in the system?
Usually, antibiotics stay in your body for a few hours to several days after you have stopped taking them.
Several factors, like age and dosage, can affect the amount of time an antibiotic stays in your body.
To learn more about the antibiotics you take and how long they will stay in your body, discuss with a doctor.
What are the Side effects of antibiotics?
Just like other medicines, antibiotics can cause some side effects when they are used.
Though some side effects are mild, some turn severe, requiring medical attention immediately.
If these symptoms do not disappear or turn severe, then you need to inform your doctor quickly.
Some common side effects of antibiotics:
- Itchy skin
- Nausea
- Yeast infections
- Difficulty breathing
- Rash
- Vomiting
- Allergic reactions
- Upset stomach or stomach pain
Less common and serious side effects of antibiotics include:
Abnormal blood clotting
- Serious allergic reaction
- Formation of kidney stones
- Deafness
- Blood disorders
- Sensitivity towards sunlight
Call your doctor promptly if any side effects continue or become worse with time.
What are the Precautions and warnings for antibiotics?
- Taking some precautions beforehand can help you to get safe treatment and quick relief from bacterial infections.
- If you are allergic to the active ingredients of antibiotics, do not take them strictly. Let a doctor know about your allergies.
- When taking antibiotics, people suffering from kidney disorders and decreased liver function should be cautious.
- Do not stop taking antibiotics too early, as this can leave your infection untreated and cause problems.
- Avoid sharing your antibiotics with other people even if they have similar symptoms.
Shop Antibiotics Online:
Buying antibiotics online has become a convenient option for many.
Online platforms offer quick access to essential medications without the hassle of visiting a physical pharmacy.
Trusted online platforms provide a wide range of antibiotics at affordable prices, with the added benefit of home delivery.
However, it’s important to purchase only from licensed pharmacies.
You can choose our allgenericmedicine to shop for your antibiotics at the best price.
Also, please consult a doctor before use to make sure you are safe and avoid misuse or resistance.
