Antibiotics and their effects on the human body
Department of General Sciences
College of Basic Education / Haditha - University of Anbar
What are antibiotics?
Medicines are effective for specific diseases and, if used properly, can save many lives.
Antibiotics are used in the treatment of some pathological conditions such as depression, as well as the treatment of bacterial infections, as they work to disrupt important vital functions in harmful bacteria, to completely eliminate them or inhibit their work, and help the immune system to fight infection and inflammation.
Antibiotics are divided into two types:
• Antibiotics that target a wide range of bacterial strains, such as (Amoxicillin), (Gentamicin).
• Antibiotics that target only a few types of pathogenic bacteria, such as ((Penicillin.
Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections, and there are special antiviral drugs, and many common viral diseases are mixed in people, so they take antibiotics for them.
Therefore, doctors will not prescribe antibiotics for coughs, colds, or other viral infections unless complications arise.
What are the side effects of antibiotics?
Unnecessary use of antibiotics can lead to many complications and side effects that can endanger human life.
As the improper use of antibiotics, it will eliminate the natural bacteria present in the body and replace them with bacteria that are resistant to treatment, in addition to many side effects such as diarrhea, stomach pain, shortness of breath, allergies, dizziness, etc.
And each antibiotic has its own side effects, some people become allergic to taking antibiotics, and allergic reactions come in several forms: (low blood pressure, itching everywhere, redness and swelling of the face).
Patients may also experience fever, swollen joints, swollen lips and tongue with severe itching, as well as chapped lips, stomatitis, and glossitis.
Also, some antibiotics can cause blood problems that lead to anemia or problems with the clotting process, which can cause bleeding in different parts of the body.
Patients with kidney or liver problems should also be treated carefully; Because antibiotics can cause poisoning of these organs, which leads to kidney failure or hepatitis, as well as poisoning of the gastrointestinal tract, which is why some patients suffer from loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea due to their intake of these antibiotics.
Tips and directions:
To reduce the side effects of antibiotics, do the following:
1- Antibiotics should be used in the dose and type prescribed by the doctor, and they should only be taken when necessary.
2- Do not take antibiotics prescribed for someone other than yourself with the same symptoms as you.
3- Read the expiry date of the medicine carefully before taking it.
4- Do not break, crush or dissolve antibiotic tablets in water, as they may lose their value.