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How do Antibiotics Fight Infections?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

In essence, antibiotics are selective poisons used to kill bacterial cells. The term loosely translates to "against life." In some senses, all things that kill cells are antibiotic; this includes poisons and toxins. Chemotherapy is antibiotic because it kills cancer cells, and unfortunately some human cells with it. Yet in most definitions, antibiotics are medications people take when they have bacterial infections.

Antibiotics fight infection by either killing bacteria outright or by inhibiting the growth or development of bacterial cells. The former type is called bactericidal, and the latter, bacteriostatic. The goal of the antibiotic, which can be made of naturally occurring fungi or chemical compounds, is to harm bacterial cells that are making people ill, without harming human cells.

Strep throat may be treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Strep throat may be treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Scientists classify antibiotics by either how they work or the bacteria against which they are most effective. When bacteria can be killed, the antibiotic disrupting the membrane of bacterial cells normally does this. They can also inhibit bacterial growth through keeping bacterial cells from making proteins and acids that they need for survival and reproduction.

Chemotherapy is considered antibiotic because it kills cancer cells.
Chemotherapy is considered antibiotic because it kills cancer cells.

In order for antibiotics to be effective, it's important to understand the structure of bacterial cells, which fortunately differs significantly from most animal and plant cells. The proteins or enzymes and the DNA structure of bacterial cells are targeted through either natural or chemically produced antibiotics, and at the same time, researchers look for compounds that will select only bacteria for attack and not plant and animal cells. It should be noted that these medications only fight infections caused by bacteria. They are completely ineffective against infections caused by viruses or fungi.

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial, not viral, infections.
Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial, not viral, infections.

Some antibiotics are called broad-spectrum because they can be used to kill or impair many different types of bacteria. Others are narrow-spectrum and only have uses against a few specific types of bacteria. Most common infections, like strep or staph are relatively easy to treat with broad-spectrum medications. Other, more resistant bacteria may require a narrow-spectrum treatment.

Immediate cleaning and bandaging of cuts will help prevent staph and other infections so that antibiotics are not needed.
Immediate cleaning and bandaging of cuts will help prevent staph and other infections so that antibiotics are not needed.

Unfortunately, humans host many types of bacteria, and some types are quite beneficial. Broad-spectrum antibiotics leave human cells alone, but often have an effect on the good bacteria people carry. This can result in complications from taking the medication, like getting yeast infections or having diarrhea.

Trends in medicine include verifying that people have a bacterial infection prior to prescribing antibiotics. This method is more widely used since certain bacteria have evolved that are much more resistant to many treatemtns. Infections caused by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) are exceptionally difficult to treat with regular broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Because antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria in the body, physicians may suggest probiotic supplements to replenish beneficial bacteria.
Because antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria in the body, physicians may suggest probiotic supplements to replenish beneficial bacteria.

Over time, some strains of staph bacteria have become resistant to treatment by penicillin-based antibiotics — because bacteria, like all life forms, evolves. People with MRSA infections have to take specialized medications, which are much harder on the body, in order to kill the bacteria. Overuse of any type of antibiotics can create resistant bacteria that are very difficult to fight. Therefore, physicians try to make sure to only use these medications when they are really necessary, in order to slow the evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon76993

antibiotics can contribute to yeast infections, which weaken the immune system. and they some can kill the friendly bacteria in your colon. or target cell wall synthesis.

you get resistance by the quick evolving of bacteria.

anon75202

Are there any types of antibiotics that harm us to kill the bacteria?

anon49377

The bacteria found in yogurt and milk are bacteria that are actually good for you and aid in digestion. This should not be any cause for concern.

frankenstein

I just had an accident and one of the corners of my mouth/cheek was ripped and required 'internal stitches' and I count 24 external stitches. The gave me antibiotics to take and an appointment with a plastic surgeon. Although it was never mentioned by the medical staff I'm wondering if I should avoid eating cheese and yogurt due to bacteria. Thank you.

qwe90905

why is some bacteria resistant to antibiotics??

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    • Strep throat may be treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics.
      By: oneblink1
      Strep throat may be treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics.
    • Chemotherapy is considered antibiotic because it kills cancer cells.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Chemotherapy is considered antibiotic because it kills cancer cells.
    • Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial, not viral, infections.
      By: brankatekic
      Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial, not viral, infections.
    • Immediate cleaning and bandaging of cuts will help prevent staph and other infections so that antibiotics are not needed.
      By: ia_64
      Immediate cleaning and bandaging of cuts will help prevent staph and other infections so that antibiotics are not needed.
    • Because antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria in the body, physicians may suggest probiotic supplements to replenish beneficial bacteria.
      By: svetavo
      Because antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria in the body, physicians may suggest probiotic supplements to replenish beneficial bacteria.