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Antibiotics
Drugs used to combat bacteria that cause infection.
Antibiotics are substances that combat bacteria, and, as a result, relieve the symptoms of infections caused by bacteria. They have only been available since the end of World War II (1945). There are millions of kinds of bacteria, and the bacteria that harm humans are called "pathogenic bacteria" or pathogens. Some pathogenic bacteria, such as tetanus, cause the human body to produce toxins or poisons as a by-product. These toxins circulate through the body, causing serious illness, or even death. The majority of infections by pathogenic bacteria do not produce these toxins, however. Rather, they cause localized infections, such as an ear infection. In babies and young children, antibiotics are used to treat strep throat; ear, sinus, and urinary tract infections; conjunctivitis;
Antibiotics work by interfering with the life cycle of bacteria. Some types of antibiotics work by preventing the pathogenic bacteria from multiplying; others work by actually killing the pathogenic bacteria. Antibiotics themselves are produced by certain bacteria and fungi to combat other bacteria and fungi. Scientists have built upon the strengths of naturally occurring antibiotics to develop synthetic versions to target specific strains of bacteria. Different antibiotics are absorbed by the body in different ways. The earliest available antibiotic, a strain of penicillin, is only absorbed by the body through injection.
Physicians prescribe antibiotics according to their diagnosis of the pathogenic bacteria causing the infection. In some cases, a specimen from the infected area (throat swab or urine sample, for example) will be cultured to determine the optimum antibiotic for treating the infection. Antibiotics are powerful, and should be administered with care. It is important to follow the dosage instructions carefully and to take the full course of medication. Discontinuing the antibiotic once the child's condition improves could result in the bacteria flaring up again, having not been fully eradicated. Allergic reactions to antibiotics are not uncommon. Reactions vary from individual to individual, and also depend upon the antibiotic being administered. Reactions range from a mild skin rash to the most severe allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening drop in blood pressure that requires immediate attention. Once it has been determined that a child has allergic reactions to antibiotics, it is vital to teach him or her never to take that antibiotic again.
Books
Encyclopedia of Antibiotics. New York: Wiley, 1992.
Handbook of Antibiotics. New York: Little, Brown, 1988.
Lappi, Marc. When Antibiotics Fail: Restoring the Ecology of the Body. Berkely, CA: North Atlantic Books, 1995.
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Author Info: , Thomson Gale, Detroit, Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence, 1998 |
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