FACT #1 : ANTIBIOTICS DON'T WORK ON VIRUSES

Antibiotics are a powerful drug used against certain types of bacterial infections.

They kill the bacteria or their ability to multiply, so the infection can heal. However, they are not designed to work against viruses.

What are bacteria?

Single-cell organisms that live in our body.
Many of them are helpful to us and participate in our bodily functions, e.g. digestion.
However, some other bacteria can cause infections, for example whooping cough or acne.

What are viruses?

They are microbes, i.e. particles containing genetic material.
When they invade living cells, they can grow and reproduce, causing infections.

When are antibiotics used?

Antibiotics are prescribed when the infection:

Could take a very long time to heal, if not treated with this type of drug.
Could lead to complications.
Could infect other people.

In some cases, antibiotics can also be prescribed as a precaution, where the patient is not known to be infected yet but is at risk to be. For example, they may be prescribed to a patient going through an operation.

Interesting fact

The first antidepressant was an antibiotic.

It was discovered by chance when, in 1952, in the tuberculosis sanatorium of Seaview Hospital (New York), the medical staff tried a new type of antibiotic on their patients.

Tuberculosis patients are usually subdued. After taking the new antibiotic their health improved as well as their mood – they started singing and dancing in the hall, with the medical staff having to shush them. This is how the first antidepressant was discovered.

Did you know…?

Antibiotics won’t work if you have a cold or the flu or a runny nose, because these infections are not caused by bacteria but by viruses. Antibiotics also don’t work with some common bacterial infections, for example sinus infections.