Overview of Antibiotics
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Questions and Answers

The term antibiotics literally means 'against ______'

life

Some drugs are effective against many organisms; these are called ______-spectrum antibiotics.

broad

The most commonly used antibiotics are ______.

antibacterials

Ampicillin and penicillin are examples of antibiotics that might be prescribed for ______ throat.

<p>strep</p> Signup and view all the answers

Doctors are realizing that there is a ______ to choosing antibiotics too quickly.

<p>downside</p> Signup and view all the answers

Serious diseases have been almost eliminated in many parts of the world because of childhood ______.

<p>vaccinations</p> Signup and view all the answers

Antimicrobials include antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, and ______ drugs.

<p>antiparasitic</p> Signup and view all the answers

Antibacterials are specifically designed to treat ______ infections.

<p>bacterial</p> Signup and view all the answers

Billions of microscopic ______ normally live on the skin, in the gut, and in our mouths and throats.

<p>bacteria</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the pre-antibiotic era, human suffering from infections was often enormous because there were no ______ to combat them.

<p>medicines</p> Signup and view all the answers

Before antibiotics, 90% of children with bacterial ______ died.

<p>meningitis</p> Signup and view all the answers

The mold that Alexander Fleming discovered was named ______ after the substance it produced.

<p>Penicillium</p> Signup and view all the answers

Fleming's discovery eventually led to the widespread use of ______ during World War II.

<p>penicillin</p> Signup and view all the answers

By the mid- to late 1940s, antibiotics became widely ______ for the general public.

<p>accessible</p> Signup and view all the answers

The phenomenon of antibiotic ______ has become a serious public health concern.

<p>resistance</p> Signup and view all the answers

Doctors have noted that in some cases, penicillin was not useful against certain strains of ______.

<p>Staphylococcus aureus</p> Signup and view all the answers

Antibiotics should be prescribed only when ______ necessary to combat resistance issues.

<p>absolutely</p> Signup and view all the answers

Doctors lowered the number of antibiotic prescriptions for children with common respiratory infections by about ______% during the 1990s.

<p>40</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason many doctors are hesitant to prescribe antibiotics for every illness?

<p>There is a growing concern over the misuse and potential health risks associated with antibiotics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements most accurately reflects the potential downsides of antibiotic use?

<p>Antibiotics can eliminate beneficial bacteria, leading to a compromised immune system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the most significant consequences of the widespread use of childhood vaccinations?

<p>The elimination of many serious diseases that once killed thousands of children annually.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How have modern practices in antibiotic prescription changed in recent years?

<p>Doctors have reduced antibiotic prescriptions for non-bacterial infections significantly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes broad-spectrum antibiotics from narrow-spectrum antibiotics?

<p>Broad-spectrum antibiotics act against a wide range of bacteria, while narrow-spectrum antibiotics target specific organisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What misconception do many parents have regarding antibiotic prescriptions during a doctor's visit?

<p>Antibiotics should be prescribed for all types of infections.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which category does not fall under the umbrella of antibiotics?

<p>Antimony</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason why doctors have become more conservative in prescribing antibiotics?

<p>They recognize that not all infections require antibiotic treatment and that overuse can contribute to resistance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the major consequences of bacterial infections during the pre-antibiotic era for children?

<p>High mortality rates from common infections.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What observation led Alexander Fleming to discover penicillin?

<p>Mold inhibiting bacterial growth on a petri dish.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following infections were particularly serious before the availability of antibiotics?

<p>Pneumonia and tuberculosis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How has the introduction of antibiotics influenced public health practices regarding bacterial infections?

<p>A more careful approach to antibiotic prescriptions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant public health issue has arisen alongside the success of antibiotics?

<p>The emergence of antibiotic resistance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role did drug companies play after the discovery of penicillin?

<p>They began producing penicillin for commercial purposes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which decade did researchers begin extensive testing of penicillin in humans?

<p>1940s.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of prescribing antibiotics when not absolutely necessary?

<p>It increases the likelihood of antibiotic resistance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which finding from the 2002 survey of physicians indicates a change in prescribing practices?

<p>A significant reduction in prescriptions for children.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the accessibility of antibiotics by the late 1940s?

<p>They became widely accessible to the general public.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Antibiotics

  • Antibiotics are “against life”, specifically against microbes
  • Antibiotics are categorized as antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics
  • Broad-spectrum antibiotics are effective against many organisms
  • Narrow-spectrum antibiotics are only effective against a few organisms
  • Antibacterials are the most commonly used antibiotics
  • Antibiotics are powerful medicine that have been used to treat and save lives for many years
  • Overuse and incorrect use can lead to health risks
  • Antimicrobial drugs are one of the most significant medical achievements of the 20th century
  • Antibacterials are designed to treat bacterial infections
  • Bacteria are microscopic and live on the skin, in the gut, mouth and throat.
  • Most bacteria are harmless but some cause infections.
  • Prior to the discovery of antibiotics, people had no medicine to fight common germs;
  • The body's immune system can often successfully fight off infections.
  • Prior to antibiotics: 90% of children with bacterial meningitis died, many survivors had lasting disabilities such as deafness or mental retardation.
  • Prior to antibiotics: Strep throat was sometimes fatal, and ear infections often spread to the brain causing severe problems.
  • Prior to antibiotics: Tuberculosis, pneumonia and whooping cough led to serious illness and sometimes death, fueled by highly aggressive bacteria.
  • Penicillin, founded by Alexander Fleming, was a major game changer.
  • Penicillin, derived from a type of mold was found to destroy infectious bacteria
  • In the 1940s, penicillin cured very serious infections and saved many lives.
  • Alexander Fleming won the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for discovering penicillin.
  • During World War II, soldiers were treated with penicillin for battlefield wounds and pneumonia
  • Penicillin became widely available to the public in the mid to late 1940s.
  • Currently, there are dozens of antibiotics available
  • About 150 million antibiotic prescriptions are written annually in the US
  • Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat
  • Doctors are more cautious about prescribing antibiotics, especially for children
  • Antibiotics should only be used when absolutely necessary and as directed by your pediatrician 

Antibiotic Resistance

  • Antibiotic resistance was observed shortly after penicillin was discovered
  • Resistance involves certain strains of bacteria and antibiotics
  • Some serious infections are difficult to treat, requiring multiple types of antibiotics.
  • Doctors are more careful about prescribing antibiotics as a result of antibiotic resistance.

Introduction

  • Antibiotics are powerful medications that have eased human pain and suffering for decades and saved lives.
  • They work "against life," specifically, against microbes.
  • Antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics are all types of antibiotics.
  • Some antibiotics are effective against many organisms, while others are effective against just a few.

Antibiotic Resistance

  • Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern.
  • It can make serious infections more difficult to treat, and doctors may have to prescribe multiple antibiotics to cure an infection.
  • Antibiotic resistance is a public health concern for everyone.

Antibiotic Usage

  • Doctors have become more careful in the way they prescribe antibiotics.
  • They only use antibiotics when they are absolutely necessary.
  • One study showed a 40% decrease in antibiotic prescriptions for children with common respiratory infections in the 1990s.

The History of Antibiotics

  • Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928.
  • Penicillin was used for treating infections during World War II.
  • The discovery of penicillin and other antibiotics was a significant medical achievement of the 20th century.

The Power of Antibiotics

  • Before antibiotics, 90% of children with bacterial meningitis died.
  • Many who survived experienced disabilities.
  • Antibiotics, when used properly, can cure serious and life-threatening illnesses.

Conclusion

  • Use antibiotics only as directed by your pediatrician.
  • The success of antibiotics has been impressive, but antibiotic resistance is a growing concern.

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Description

This quiz provides an overview of antibiotics, including their classifications, effectiveness, and history. Learn about the differences between broad-spectrum and narrow-spectrum antibiotics, as well as the importance of careful use to avoid health risks. Test your knowledge on this crucial aspect of modern medicine.

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