Antibiotics: The Medicines That Fight Bacteria

What is it?

Antibiotics are medicines that fight bacterial infections by killing bacteria or stopping them from reproducing. Some antibiotics come from nature, like penicillin, which is made by a mold to fight off bacteria. Others are made from scratch in a lab. Due to their effectiveness and easy access, antibiotics have been overused, leading to certain bacteria developing resistance against them, which is known as antimicrobial resistance.

3 Things to Know

• Antibiotics can be given three main ways. It can be swallowed as a pill or liquid, injected into the body, or put directly on the skin as a cream.

• Antibiotics only work on bacteria, and do nothing against viral infections like colds, most sore throats, and the flu.

• Antibiotics can have side effects, such as rashes, nausea, diarrhea, and yeast infections, partly because they also kill some of the good bacteria in your body.

Fun Fact

The earliest use of antibiotics was found in northern Sudan, as early as 350-550 CE. However, one of the first to write about it to treat infections was John Parkinson (1567-1650).

Current Research

How can scientists and doctors help people understand when antibiotics are needed and when they aren't, so we can slow down antibiotic resistance?

Explore!

The Science of Antibiotics: How They Work and Why They Matter

What causes antibiotic resistance? - Kevin Wu

Antibiotics, Antivirals, and Vaccines

How can we solve the antibiotic resistance crisis? - Gerry Wright