Identification

• Antibiotics are commonly used to treat bacterial infections that cause illnesses in the body, and are sometimes called antibacterials. When resistance is low, the body's immune system can not produce enough white blood cells to fight off the infection. In such a scenario, the body becomes overrun with bacteria and needs the assistance of an antibiotic to kill off the enemy cells.
  
  

History

• The treatment of infection with the use of antibiotics dates back to the Stone Age when prehistoric man discovered the healing abilities of plants and herbs. The trend continued throughout the ages with many cultures following suit. It wasn't until the early 1900s that bacteriologist Alexander Fleming discovered the bacteria-fighting properties of penicillin. Since then, antibiotics have been manufactured to help cure dangerous illnesses or prevent them from progressing. With the advent of the pharmaceutical age, manufacturers of antibiotics and other medications have been able to replicate the effectiveness of natural antibiotics, forming synthetic versions that are stronger than their natural predecessors.
  
  

Types

• Antibiotics can be broken down into two categories: narrow-spectrum antibiotics and broad-spectrum antibiotics. The differences between the two are characterized by the variety of bacteria that they have an effect on. Narrow-spectrum antibiotics effectively treat a limited number of targeted bacteria, while broad-spectrum antibiotics can successfully eliminate a broader span of infection-causing bacteria.
  
  

Effects

• Antibiotics have a two fold effect on bacterial invaders that enter the body. Bacteriostatic antibiotics work to prevent bacteria from multiplying in the body, thus reducing the chances of the bacteria's ability to completely overwhelm the immune system. Other antibiotics that are known as bactericidal antibiotics, kill off any bacteria that has entered the body, allowing the immune system to slowly recover.
  
  

Considerations

• As with any medication, side effects can occur with the use of oral antibiotics. Diarrhea and upset stomach are the most commonly reported side effects. Yeast infections are also a possible side effect. They occur because antibiotics kill not only the bad bacteria that cause infections, but also annihilate the good bacteria in the body. Yeast infections have been found to succumb to the introduction of good bacteria, or probiotics, into the body. Yogurt is a good source of probiotics, and it is believed that a cupful on days that an antibiotic is taken can reduce yeast infections. Blood clots and kidney stones have also been reported, but are rare. In cases where a person is allergic to an antibiotic, dangerous and life-threatening swelling can occur, making it necessary to seek an alternative type of antibiotic.
  
  

Misconceptions

• Until recently, it was common practice for doctors to offer antibiotics to treat ear infections and other illnesses that were thought to only be cured with medicinal treatment. But science has disputed the need for routine use of antibiotics, and the fad has since declined. In fact, physicians are finding that given time, some infections can actually be cured by the body without the use of antibiotics and only a small amount of ibuprofen to help numb the pain. Increased resistance to antibiotics due to overuse has also resulted in the need to create stronger drugs. Science has also proven that antibiotics are completely ineffective in fighting illnesses that are caused by viral agents and some fungi. And of course, antibiotics can not cure the common cold.