INTRODUCTION
What is an antibiotic? An antibiotic is a chemical substance derived from micro-organisms and used for the treatment of various diseases and ailments.
HISTORICAL BACROUND
The use of antibiotics began way back in September 1928 when Alexandar Fleming discovered Penicillin accidentally. Alexander Fleming went back to London from a Vacation in Scotland to realize that his petri dishes growing Staphylococci were contaminated by a strange strain of mould which he called Penicillum notatum.
To his utmost surprise, he noticed that the growth of the mould prevented normal growth of Staphylococci. He later discovered that this was due to a chemical substance produced by the mould which he called "Penicillin". This set the stage for the discovery of the nymerous antibiotics used today.
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HOW DOES ANTIBIOTICS WORK
Antibiotics work bykilling disease causing micro-organisms. This mode of action was particularly adopted after "The Germ Theory of Disease" was adopted. When the micro-organisms causing the disease is eradicated, the disease is cured.
WHAT DOES ANTIBIOTICS RESISTANCE MEAN
Antibiotics resistance is said to occur when a micro-organism is no more sensitive to an antibiotic which it was once sensitive to.
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As depicted in the comic anove, the micro-organism learns
to "run away" from the antibiotics so to speak.
WHAT CAUSES ANTIBIOTICS RESISTANCE
Antibiotics reistance occurs when:
-antibiotics are administered at sub-optimal doses
-antibiotics are taken when there is no infective process going on in the body.
-antibiotics are taken without a Doctor's prescription
-the doses of a prescription is not completed
-is not complaint with his prescription.
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What these points simply mean is that because the patient took the antibiotics at a dose which was not sufficient or when he did not really need it, when he eventually needs the antibiotic, it will not work again because the micro-organism has been given an ample opportunity to put some mechanisms in place which helps it to evert death when exposed to that particular antibiotic again.
HOW TO PREVENT ANTIBIOTICS RESISTANCE
-Take only antibiotics prescribed by a qualified medical practitioner.
-complete the full course of the prescription even if the symptoms subside.
-never take an antibiotics if a laboratory microscopy, culture and sensitivity testing has not been done
-report any side effects to a Doctor
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CONCLUSION
Antibiotics resistance is a menace on us caused by us. It can be reduced and prevented from further agravating by collective effort as well as by government interventions.
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