Antibiosis is gotten from two Greek words “Anti” meaning against and “Bios” which refers to life. This name was introduced by Jean-Paul Vuillemin. The name was later changed to antibiotic when Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch observed that an airborne bacillus could inhibit the growth of bacillus anthracis.
Antibiotics are a group of medicines used to treat infections caused by germs (bacteria and certain parasites). This name can be interchanged with antibacterial or antimicrobials. It comes in different forms such as liquid, tablets or capsules or injection powder.
Despite the positive effects of antibiotics, it also has negative effects. Antibiotics destroy the good bacteria in the body, just like a toxin and it also kills all bacteria.
Antibiotics became widely known in the 20th century. In 1928 Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin (a class of antibiotics) after he noticed colonies of bacteria growing on a culture plate which was affected by mold.
In the 1950s Cephalosporins was discovered and from this era, several classes of antibiotics came into existence. These include Macrolides, Quinolones, Tetracyclines, Aminoglycosides, to mention a few.
HOW ANTIBIOTICS WORK
Different classes of antibiotics have their mechanism of action, but the common mode of action is inhibition of the cell wall synthesis. When this happens, there is an altering of the cell wall and the shape of the organism. Eventually, this change may lead to death.
It may also be by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria. This process occurs in aminoglycosides.
WHY ANTIBIOTIC IS ALSO REFERRED TO AS POISON
Antibiotics are also poison but they are more toxic to bacteria than they are to us. If misused they can cause adverse effects like
Vomiting.
Nausea (feeling like you may vomit)
Diarrhoea.
Bloating and indigestion.
Abdominal pain.
Loss of appetite.
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
According to the WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION, Antibiotic resistance is rising to dangerously high levels in all parts of the world. New resistance mechanisms are emerging and spreading globally, threatening our ability to treat common infectious diseases. A growing list of infections – such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, blood poisoning, gonorrhoea, and foodborne diseases – are becoming harder, and sometimes impossible, to treat as antibiotics become less effective.
This can develop because of the bacteria losing its susceptibility to the killing and growth-inhibiting effect of an antibiotic agent. Furthermore, this is occurring because of the resistant strain bacteria being the dominant strain in an infection. The major causes include:
- Antibiotic overuse
- Inappropriate Prescription
- Inappropriate use of prescribed dose
How to prevent Antibiotics Resistance
- Use only prescribed antibiotics
- Wash hands regularly to prevent infections
- Do not use left-over antibiotics.
- Adhere to the treatment regimen
Do not forget that God is the healer of all infirmities. His healing power is stronger than any antibiotic.
