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Antibiotics: Antibiotics Work
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Antibiotics are usually used to treat infections caused by bacteria. They do not work against other organisms such as viruses or fungi. It's important to bear this in mind if you think you have some sort of infection, because many common illnesses, particularly of the upper respiratory tract such as the common cold and sore throats, are usually caused by viruses. Overuse of antibiotics can lead to bacteria becoming resistant to them so it's important to only take them when necessary. (see below).
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Antibiotics, first used in the 1940s, are certainly one of the great advances in medicine. But overprescribing them has resulted in the development of bacteria that don't respond to antibiotics that may have worked in the past. Plus, a child who takes antibiotics when it isn't necessary runs the unnecessary risk of adverse reactions, such as stomach upset and diarrhea.
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Antibiotics do not work on viruses because viruses are not alive. A bacterium is a living, reproducing lifeform. A virus is just a piece of DNA (or RNA). A virus injects its DNA into a living cell and has that cell reproduce more of the viral DNA. With a virus there is nothing to "kill," so antibiotics don't work on it.
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Antibiotics work by several mechanisms. The most important is the decrease in the number of bacteria in and around the follicle. Antibiotics ... work by reducing the irritating chemicals produced by white blood cells. Finally, antibiotics reduce the concentration of free fatty acids in the sebum, also reducing the inflammatory response. The most frequently used antibiotics for acne are summarized here.
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Antibiotics normally work by killing germs called bacteria. Or they stop the bacteria from growing. But sometimes not all of them are stopped or killed. The strongest ones are left to grow and spread. A person can get sick again. This time the germs are harder to kill.
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Antibiotics can stop some infections and save lives. They only work against infections caused by bacteria, not against any infections caused by viruses. Viruses are the main cause ofcolds,most coughs and sore throats.
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Antibiotics Work