Antibiotics are a type of medication used to treat bacterial infections. They work by either killing the bacteria causing the infection or by stopping the bacteria from multiplying, so that the body’s immune system can fight off the infection.
Antibiotics are typically prescribed by a doctor or other healthcare provider and can be taken orally in the form of pills, capsules, or liquids, or applied topically in the form of creams, ointments, or eye drops. Some common types of antibiotics include penicillin, amoxicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin.
It’s important to use antibiotics only when they are necessary, as overuse and misuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, which is a growing public health concern. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria develop the ability to resist the effects of antibiotics, making it harder to treat infections. To help prevent antibiotic resistance, it’s important to follow the instructions of your healthcare provider and to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed, even if you start feeling better before you’ve finished the medication.