What are antibiotics? What precautions must be taken while taking antibiotics?
Antibiotics are medicines derived from microorganisms. They stop the growth of harmful or disease causing microbes. Antibiotics are made from fungi and bacteria. Alexander Fleming discovered the antibiotic called Penicillin in 1929. Streptomycin, Tetracycline, Erythromycin etc are some commonly used antibiotics.
Precautions that must be taken while taking antibiotics are
i. Antibiotics should only be taken when advised by a qualified physician and one must finish the course prescribed by the doctor.
ii. Antibiotics should only be taken when needed and in the right dose, otherwise, they become less effective for future use.
iii. Taking atibiotics unnecessarily may kill the beneficial bacteria in the body.
