By Mirna Vedula
Chances are you have used or been prescribed to use an antibiotic before. Antibiotics are without a doubt one of the greatest discoveries. However, how does an antibiotic work? Who discovered them? Through this article, we will be breaking down antibiotics.
Alexander Fleming discovered antibiotics in 1928. The antibiotic the then lab technician discovered is what we now know as Penicillin. Fleming discovered Penicillin accidentally his discovery began to be known as the “wonder-drug.” One that helped treat many in the second world war.
To understand how antibiotics work we must understand what they treat. Different Antibiotics treat different infections caused by bacteria. Antibiotics are classified into the following seven groups based on the type of bacteria they treat. They are as follows Penicillin, Cephalosporins, Macrolides, Fluoroquinolones, Sulfonamides, Tetracyclines, and Aminoglycosides For example Penicillin is used to cure staphylococci and streptococci.
Antibiotics can do one of two things. They either stop the replication or reproduction of new bacteria, block the production of proteins in bacteria, and attack the coating around the bacteria. Depending on the type of bacterial infection you are suffering from Antibiotics take anywhere between one and two weeks. Each antibiotic is prescribed in a certain course. An antibiotic course refers to the amount of time a certain antibiotic should be taken.
In conclusion, Antibiotics have changed the way doctors treat bacterial infections. Infections that were once regarded deadly are now treated in a couple of weeks. Every day, doctors and medical researchers get closer to finding new antibiotics.
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