The first antibiotic - penicillin - was discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming, who observed that accidental contamination of a bacteriological medium with the mould Penicillum notatum inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus cultures.
An unfavourable consequence of antibiotic therapy may also be the removal of the natural intestinal bacterial flora of the gastrointestinal tract, which consists of numerous bacterial strains, especially anaerobic bacteria - they are a barrier to pathogenic bacteria and play a role in the metabolism of various substances in the gastrointestinal tract and produce vitamins.
It is important to remember that antibiotics have no effect on viruses, e.g. the influenza virus. A cold or flu cannot be treated with an antibiotic. Viruses are not sensitive to antibiotics. The use of antibiotics is associated with side effects - the most common are gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting. Skin rashes, high fever, joint pains and even anaphylactic shock can also occur.
When giving antibiotics to children , it is important to bear in mind that adverse reactions may be associated with additives to medicines prepared specifically for children, in liquid form - so that they can be easily administered to the child. Allergic reactions can also occur as a result of additives that improve taste or colour.
photo: panthermedia
Pregnant women should also be careful with antibiotics. The use of antibiotics during pregnancy and breastfeeding requires careful consideration by the doctor as to the potential risks of the treatment for the mother-to-be and the foetus. The doctor must consider whether the benefits of antibiotic therapy outweigh these risks. Almost all antibiotics are contraindicated in pregnancy. However, in the case of bacterial infections, it is sometimes necessary to use an antibiotic - failure to do so can adversely affect the foetus.
The flu and cold season is approaching. When going to the doctor, do not forget that antibiotics do not work against viruses. The use of targeted therapy, i.e. the selection of a drug on the basis of microbiological examination of the susceptibility of microorganisms, provides the greatest assurance of the effectiveness of treatment in a given infection. The prerequisite for its use is the correct collection of biological material for microbiological examination.
Unfortunately, in very few cases does the doctor order an antibiogram. In this way, antibiotics could be prescribed correctly - then their effect would be more effective. Perhaps the number of interventions due to side effects would also decrease.
