Podcast
Questions and Answers
The term antibiotics literally means 'against ______'
The term antibiotics literally means 'against ______'
life
Some drugs are effective against many organisms; these are called ______-spectrum antibiotics.
Some drugs are effective against many organisms; these are called ______-spectrum antibiotics.
broad
The most commonly used antibiotics are ______.
The most commonly used antibiotics are ______.
antibacterials
Ampicillin and penicillin are examples of antibiotics that might be prescribed for ______ throat.
Ampicillin and penicillin are examples of antibiotics that might be prescribed for ______ throat.
Doctors are realizing that there is a ______ to choosing antibiotics too quickly.
Doctors are realizing that there is a ______ to choosing antibiotics too quickly.
Serious diseases have been almost eliminated in many parts of the world because of childhood ______.
Serious diseases have been almost eliminated in many parts of the world because of childhood ______.
Antimicrobials include antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, and ______ drugs.
Antimicrobials include antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, and ______ drugs.
Antibacterials are specifically designed to treat ______ infections.
Antibacterials are specifically designed to treat ______ infections.
Billions of microscopic ______ normally live on the skin, in the gut, and in our mouths and throats.
Billions of microscopic ______ normally live on the skin, in the gut, and in our mouths and throats.
In the pre-antibiotic era, human suffering from infections was often enormous because there were no ______ to combat them.
In the pre-antibiotic era, human suffering from infections was often enormous because there were no ______ to combat them.
Before antibiotics, 90% of children with bacterial ______ died.
Before antibiotics, 90% of children with bacterial ______ died.
The mold that Alexander Fleming discovered was named ______ after the substance it produced.
The mold that Alexander Fleming discovered was named ______ after the substance it produced.
Fleming's discovery eventually led to the widespread use of ______ during World War II.
Fleming's discovery eventually led to the widespread use of ______ during World War II.
By the mid- to late 1940s, antibiotics became widely ______ for the general public.
By the mid- to late 1940s, antibiotics became widely ______ for the general public.
The phenomenon of antibiotic ______ has become a serious public health concern.
The phenomenon of antibiotic ______ has become a serious public health concern.
Doctors have noted that in some cases, penicillin was not useful against certain strains of ______.
Doctors have noted that in some cases, penicillin was not useful against certain strains of ______.
Antibiotics should be prescribed only when ______ necessary to combat resistance issues.
Antibiotics should be prescribed only when ______ necessary to combat resistance issues.
Doctors lowered the number of antibiotic prescriptions for children with common respiratory infections by about ______% during the 1990s.
Doctors lowered the number of antibiotic prescriptions for children with common respiratory infections by about ______% during the 1990s.
What is the primary reason many doctors are hesitant to prescribe antibiotics for every illness?
What is the primary reason many doctors are hesitant to prescribe antibiotics for every illness?
Which of the following statements most accurately reflects the potential downsides of antibiotic use?
Which of the following statements most accurately reflects the potential downsides of antibiotic use?
What was one of the most significant consequences of the widespread use of childhood vaccinations?
What was one of the most significant consequences of the widespread use of childhood vaccinations?
How have modern practices in antibiotic prescription changed in recent years?
How have modern practices in antibiotic prescription changed in recent years?
What distinguishes broad-spectrum antibiotics from narrow-spectrum antibiotics?
What distinguishes broad-spectrum antibiotics from narrow-spectrum antibiotics?
What misconception do many parents have regarding antibiotic prescriptions during a doctor's visit?
What misconception do many parents have regarding antibiotic prescriptions during a doctor's visit?
Which category does not fall under the umbrella of antibiotics?
Which category does not fall under the umbrella of antibiotics?
What is one reason why doctors have become more conservative in prescribing antibiotics?
What is one reason why doctors have become more conservative in prescribing antibiotics?
What was one of the major consequences of bacterial infections during the pre-antibiotic era for children?
What was one of the major consequences of bacterial infections during the pre-antibiotic era for children?
What observation led Alexander Fleming to discover penicillin?
What observation led Alexander Fleming to discover penicillin?
Which of the following infections were particularly serious before the availability of antibiotics?
Which of the following infections were particularly serious before the availability of antibiotics?
How has the introduction of antibiotics influenced public health practices regarding bacterial infections?
How has the introduction of antibiotics influenced public health practices regarding bacterial infections?
What significant public health issue has arisen alongside the success of antibiotics?
What significant public health issue has arisen alongside the success of antibiotics?
What role did drug companies play after the discovery of penicillin?
What role did drug companies play after the discovery of penicillin?
In which decade did researchers begin extensive testing of penicillin in humans?
In which decade did researchers begin extensive testing of penicillin in humans?
What is the impact of prescribing antibiotics when not absolutely necessary?
What is the impact of prescribing antibiotics when not absolutely necessary?
Which finding from the 2002 survey of physicians indicates a change in prescribing practices?
Which finding from the 2002 survey of physicians indicates a change in prescribing practices?
What can be inferred about the accessibility of antibiotics by the late 1940s?
What can be inferred about the accessibility of antibiotics by the late 1940s?
Flashcards are hidden until you start studying
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.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
