Table of Contents
What are Antibiotics? ; What do Antibiotics do? ;
What are the different types of Antibiotics?
Antibiotics are a type of medication that are used to treat infections. They work by killing or stopping the growth of bacteria. There are a variety of different types of antibiotics, and they are generally grouped by their mechanism of action.
Antibiotics Definition
Antibiotics are a group of drugs that are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. They work by killing the bacteria or by stopping them from reproducing.
History of Antibiotics
The first antibiotic, penicillin, was discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming. Fleming was studying a type of bacteria called staphylococcus when he noticed that one of his petri dishes had been contaminated by a mold, Penicillium notatum. The mold had inhibited the growth of the bacteria. Fleming later isolated the active ingredient in the mold and named it penicillin.
The use of penicillin soon revolutionized the treatment of infections. However, penicillin was not widely available until after World War II. In the early 1940s, British scientists Howard Florey and Ernst Chain developed a process for mass-producing penicillin. The first penicillin factory was opened in the United States in 1943.
The development of other antibiotics followed soon after. In the 1950s, scientists discovered the first sulfa drug, sulfanilamide. In the 1960s, they discovered the first tetracycline antibiotic, tetracycline. And in the 1970s, they discovered the first quinolone antibiotic, ciprofloxacin.
Today, antibiotics are widely used to treat a variety of infections, including pneumonia, tuberculosis, and strep throat. However, the overuse of antibiotics has led to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or “superbugs.”
How do Antibiotics Work?
Antibiotics work by inhibiting the growth of bacteria. They do this by preventing the bacteria from producing new proteins, which they need to grow.
Types of Antibiotics
1. Macrolides
2. Tetracyclines
3. Penicillins
4. Sulfonamides
5. Quinolones
6. Aminoglycosides
7. Miscellaneous antibiotics
What is Antibiotic Resistance?
Antibiotic resistance is the diminishing effectiveness of antibiotics over time. Antibiotics are naturally occurring substances that can kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. They are used to treat a variety of infections, both mild and serious. However, as bacteria evolve and develop resistance to antibiotics, the effectiveness of these drugs diminishes. This can make infections more difficult to treat and, in some cases, may lead to death.
