Did you know that humans have only been using antibiotics for about 80 years? Before their discovery, many diseases that are now easily treatable with antibiotics were once deemed incurable.
Antibiotics are crucial medications used to treat and prevent bacterial infections. They work by either stopping the growth of bacteria or destroying them. However, it’s important to note that antibiotics are not always necessary—many mild bacterial infections can resolve on their own without medical intervention.
A common misconception is that antibiotics can be used to treat viral infections, which is a significant error! Antibiotics specifically target bacterial infections, and using them for viral illnesses can be harmful. Furthermore, prolonged use of antibiotics can lead to dysbiosis (an imbalance in the gut microbiome) or fungal infections, and can also cause gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, bloating, and other digestive problems.
