Antibiotics and Painkillers

When we fall ill, it's not just about dealing with the symptoms; it's also about addressing the root cause of our discomfort. MEDICINES play a vital role in this process, with different types being used for various purposes.

PAINKILLERS:

• PAINKILLERS are drugs that manage symptoms such as PAIN and FEVER. They offer relief but DO NOT target the underlying cause of the disease.
• Examples include ASPIRIN and PARACETAMOL

ANTIBIOTICS

• ANTIBIOTICS work on a deeper level by either KILLING BACTERIA or preventing their REPRODUCTION. This stops the infection at its source.

The Science Behind ANTIBIOTICS:

• They only target BACTERIAL infections by killing bacteria cells.
• They are ineffective against viruses because viruses reproduce INSIDE body cells, so it is difficult to destroy the virus without destroying the healthy cell.
• ANTIBIOTICS recognise bacteria by the unique ANTIGENS on their surface and disrupt their life processes.
• The correct antibiotic must be matched with the right bacterial infection to be effective as they are SPECIFIC to certain bacteria.

The Issue of RESISTANCE:

• Bacteria can EVOLVE, leading to ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE.
• This makes some antibiotics LESS EFFECTIVE or even useless against these resistant bacteria.
• If these resistant bacteria reproduce and spread, it can become difficult to treat and can lead to a SERIOUS INFECTION.
• An example of this is MRSA which was a bacteria which EVOLVED to become resistant to the antibiotic METICILLIN.
• To combat this, medical professionals recommend completing the FULL COURSE of antibiotics even if the patient is feeling better, and only using them when symptoms are SERIOUS (eg. Not for small coughs).