At present we hear a lot about antibiotics. So what do antibiotic medicines represent? Antibiotic drugs are chemicals derived from germs and applied to kill bacteria or to slow down their propagation. The first antibiotic was produced in 1928 by Alexander Fleming, and its creation commemorated a new stage in the history of medical science. These drugs are extensively used in the modern medicine.
Doctors prescribe antibiotic medications to people suffering from infections evoked by bacteria. These medications are not effective against most virus infections. That is why your doctor won't always prescribe antibiotics when you have an infection.
There are numerous classifications of antibiotic drugs. The most common division is "bactericidal" medications (their effect is founded on killing bacteria) and "bacteriostatic" ones (they work by preventing the reproduction of bacteria). What is more, different antibiotic medications are different in use. Some of them act against one type of bacteria (they are also known as narrow-spectrum antibiotic medications, when at the same time others can fight a wide variety of infections (these ones are famous as broad-spectrum antibiotic medications).
Remember that antibiotic medication is a strong drug and should be taken only in compliance with the physician's prescription. Do not think that the drug that helped your friend or relative will be effective for you. Most possibly it won't bring positive results, it may even harm. You should know that antibiotics have side actions so forget about self-treatment. Your physician knows better what antibiotic medication and for what period of time you should use it.
Regardless priceless significance of antibiotics in contemporary medical techniques you should note that they are medicines and have definite side-effects. Though antibiotics cause serious side actions quite rarely, yet such symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting will scarcely please anybody.
You should also tell your doctor about all the allergies you have or used to have because some antibiotic medical products may evoke allergic reaction like face swelling, skin rash or itching. In case you see that the application of the antibiotic drug evoked some unusual reaction, stop its use and see your doctor asap.
Stay in good health and remember that your health is in your hands.
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