Question

What are antibiotics? What precautions must be taken while taking antibiotics?

Answer 1

Hint: Antibiotics are used against harmful bacteria. We take them whenever we fall sick and they help us by killing bacteria causing infections (Eg Penicillin)

Complete step by step answer:
Antibiotics are the chemical substances produced wholly or partly by chemical synthesis, which in low concentration, inhibit the growth or destroy microorganisms by intervening in their metabolic processes. There are two types of antibiotics, bactericidal antibiotics and bacteriostatic antibiotics.
Bactericidal antibiotics kill the microbes. Examples include Penicillin, aminoglycosides and ofloxacin etc.
Bacteriostatic antibiotics inhibit the growth of microbes. Examples include erythromycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol etc.
While using antibiotics, the following precautions must be taken.
Antibiotics should not be taken without the supervision of a qualified doctor. It may be harmful to antibiotics (or any medicine) without the advice of a qualified doctor. Self-medication is to be avoided at all times.
The entire course should be completed as prescribed by the doctor. Not a single dose should be missed. Also, overdose should also be avoided. If a dose other than the prescribed dose is taken, then the antibiotic may become ineffective and may make bacteria resistant to the drug. If overdose of the antibiotic is taken, then, the useful bacteria may also be killed. Thus, it is very important to take the right dose at the right time.

Note:
Do not mix antibiotics with other antimicrobials such as antiseptics and
disinfectants.Antibiotics are the chemical substances produced wholly or partly by chemical
synthesis, which in low concentration, inhibit the growth or destroy microorganisms by
intervening in their metabolic processes. Antiseptics are applied to wounds (living tissues) to
kill the bacteria and stop their growth. Disinfectants are applied to non-living objects to kill
the microorganisms.