Antimicrobials & Antibiotics

Antibiotics are drugs to stop and treat bacterial infections. Bacteria become antibiotic-resistant when they adapt due to the administration of these drugs. Humans do not become antibiotic-resistant; instead, it is the bacteria. These bacteria can then infect humans and are more difficult to treat than their non-resistant counterparts. Antimicrobial resistance is a more general term and includes resistance to drugs used to treat infection by other microbes as well, for example, parasites (e.g. malaria), viruses (e.g. HIV) and fungi (e.g. Candida).

What is an Antibiotic?

Antibiotics are an antimicrobial product that is utilized to combat infections in animals and humans.

The primary “purpose” of an antimicrobial product is to kill or inhibit other microorganisms. If we don’t go into further details, antibiotics are merely a part of this antimicrobial definition.

There are several reasons why the term “antimicrobial” cannot be used for antibiotics.

Traditionally, antibiotics were used to describe a natural substance that was created by a microorganism or fungus in an effort to combat infections in humans or animals. The terminology has changed since then, but it was logical when it was made.

The first antibiotic discovered was from the mold, penicillium.

Appropriately nicknamed penicillin, this health breakthrough would cure several diseases, including pneumonia and rheumatic fever. Both of which have the potential to be the source of major health complications, and even death.

This generated fervent research into additional ramifications of organic antibiotics, and in due course, the development of the industry brought the development of semi-synthetic alternatives.

How Do Antibiotics Work?

• Antibiotics are either in two main categories; one that slows bacterial growth (bacteriostatic), or those that destroy bacteria (bactericidal).
• In addition, antibiotic defense relies on their compositions. Certain antibiotics are only worth the price for one specific application. Others may work for many different ailments.
• Whatever their efficacy, antibiotics are never used to cure anything other than bacterial infections.