Antibiotics Are Not Aspirins!

Antibiotics are chemicals produced by some bacteria which act against some other bacteria. The antibiotics are also produced by fungus (mold) such as penicillin. Penicillins act against bacteria, particularly the gram positive bacteria. Based on reaction to Gram's stains, bacteria are divided into two groups, Gram positive and Gram negative. Viruses are much smaller than bacteria and cause many diseases such as common cold, flu, Swine flu, Bird flu, SARS. It is to be kept in mind that antibiotics are not active against viruses. So for common cold go for aspirin but avoid antibiotics. Aspirins can be taken for almost any ailment. Whether there is pain in knee, tooth, head, back or anywhere in the body. There is usually no need to consult a doctor to take aspirins for common ailments and it is also okay for adults to take OTC aspirins as and when needed. Antibiotics are to be, strictly, prescribed by a doctor in specific quantity and for definite duration. This is known as full course of antibiotics. The antibiotics should be taken in quantity and duration prescribed by the physician. If one takes a tablet/capsule here and there, like aspirin, or does not complete the full course, he is inviting trouble to himself and the surrounding. The incomplete administration of antibiotics leads to multiplication of resistant pathogenic bacteria at very high rates since the sensitive bacteria are killed by a few doses and there is no more competition for food and space to the former. These resistant forms reach environment through body fluids and feces to infect other healthy individuals. It is the reason many diseases causing bacteria are becoming antibiotic resistant.

The side effects of antibiotics are usually not serious. Some individuals are allergic to particular antibiotics, which they should inform the doctor in advance. The antibiotics kill all bacteria, many of these are good commensals in our stomach, as a result stomach upsets may occur. Antibiotics may reduce the effectiveness of other drugs. Sometimes yeast infections in vagina occurs in woman since bacteria are killed by antibiotics while yeast can now grow fastes without bacterial competition. Pregnant women should be very cautious as some drugs may pass to fetus.

Action of antibiotics

Antibiotics are either bacteriostatic (stop the growth of bacteria but do not kill these) or bactericidal (kill the bacteria). The Former does not allow multiplication of bacteria to high numbers and soon the body's immune system fights off these bacteria. The bactericidal are given to persons with weak immune system, unable to produce antibodies or cells to destroy the bacteria.

The antibiotics are specific towards bacterial systems and structures. These do not harm us since our system, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates are different from bacteria.

So beware next time before you pop in that antibiotic on your own. Also remember, if you discontinue the antibiotic dose before completing it as per prescription; you need to take full dose again, may be of a stronger antibiotic.