3.1.8 - Antibiotics & Painkillers

What drugs are used to cure some bacterial diseases?

Antibiotics - they can kill bacterial pathogens inside the body

How do antibiotics work?

• Antibiotics (e.g. penicillin) kill bacterial pathogens inside the body, but do not kill human cells.

• Whilst some antibiotics kill a wide range of bacteria, it is important that the right antibiotic is used for specific bacteria.

Why can antibiotics not be used to treat viral diseases?

Viral pathogens live inside the host’s (human) cells. Therefore it is difficult to design drugs that would kill the virus and not destroy the human cells at the same time.

What is antibiotic resistance?

• When mutations lead to individual bacteria being resistant to an antibiotic.

• These bacteria are able to survive, reproduce and pass on their alleles, leading to a greater proportion of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Why are antibiotic-resistant bacteria a concern?

Some types of bacteria are becoming resistant to all known antibiotics, so the diseases that they cause cannot be cured.

How can we prevent antibiotic resistance?

• Avoid overuse and unnecessary use of antibiotics

• Finish antibiotic courses - to ensure all bacteria is killed

What effect do painkillers have on infectious diseases?

Can only treat symptoms but do not kill pathogens