Antibiotics

Updated: Mar 28

Antibiotics are medications used to treat bacterial infections.
They work by killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria, which helps alleviate symptoms and prevent the spread of infection.
Antibiotics can treat a wide range of bacterial infections, including respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and skin infections.
Important Note: Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections, such as the common cold or flu.
Overuse and misuse of antibiotics can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which are difficult to treat and pose a significant public health threat.
It is essential to use antibiotics only when necessary and as prescribed by a healthcare professional.

Antibiotics are chemical substances produced by microorganisms or synthesized artificially to inhibit or kill other microorganisms.
Their history can be divided into several key milestones:

Before the discovery of antibiotics, infections were treated with herbal remedies and antiseptics.
In 1909, Paul Ehrlich developed the first synthetic antimicrobial drug, Salvarsan, to treat syphilis.

Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin from Penicillium notatum in 1928.
It was later purified by Howard Florey and Ernst Chain, leading to large-scale production in the 1940s.

Discovery of sulfonamides, streptomycin, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol.
Antibiotics became widely available, significantly reducing mortality from bacterial infections.

Resistance emerged due to overuse and misuse.
New classes like β-lactamase inhibitors and last-resort antibiotics (e.g., carbapenems) were developed.
Research focuses on novel antibiotics and antimicrobial stewardship.

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