Antibiotics
1. What is antibiotics?
They are drugs to help people fight against infections caused by bacteria.
Sometimes prophylactic antibiotic is given by the doctor to prevent the development of certain bacterial infection.
2. When should antibiotics be used?
Antibiotics are only useful when the infection is caused by bacteria. Some common bacterial infections that can be treated with antibiotics are: Strep throat, chest infection, and urinary tract infections.
3. When should antibiotics NOT be used?
Antibiotics do not work on infections caused by viruses. Common conditions that are likely to be caused by viruses are: common cold, flu, acute bronchitis.
4. Why we should not take antibiotics when it is not helpful?
It is because we may develop the following
(1) Gut upset
(2) Allergies
(3) Antibiotic resistance
5. What are the precautions when using antibiotics?
Do not use antibiotics that were not prescribed to you by a doctor.
When you are prescribed an antibiotic by your doctor, finish all the drug and take it exactly as directed.
Sometimes, the doctor may switch the type of antibiotics
- when the bacterial culture results become available to better tailor the treatment accordingly, or
- when the clinical condition does not improve