Antibiotics and Resistance: Key Concepts for Modern Medicine

Antibiotics

Medicines that fight bacterial infections. Their effectiveness is a critical issue in modern medicine.

Drug-resistant bacteria / Resistant bacteria

Bacteria that have developed the ability to withstand the effects of antibiotics, making them harder to kill.

Course of treatment / Full course (of antibiotics)

A planned series of actions taken to manage or cure an illness or medical condition. The article debates whether one truly needs to take the "full course".

Infections

Diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms. Antibiotics are specifically for bacterial infections, not viral ones (as explained in previous context).

Viral infection

An infection caused by a virus, for which antibiotics are ineffective.

Bacterial infection

An infection caused by bacteria, which can be effectively treated by antibiotics.

Crucial

Extremely important or essential.

Overuse

Using too much of something or more than is necessary or appropriate. The article highlights overuse of antibiotics as one factor in creating resistance.

Underuse

Using too little of something. The article highlights underuse of antibiotics as one factor in creating resistance.

Evolve

To develop gradually over time. Bacteria can evolve new strains that can withstand drugs when exposed to antibiotics.

Reconsider

To think about something again, especially with the possibility of changing one's mind. The article asks if it's time to "reconsider" the advice about taking a full course of antibiotics.

Opinion piece

An article that expresses the author's personal views or arguments, as opposed to purely factual reporting.

Grounded in strong science / Substantiated

Based on reliable scientific evidence or supported by facts.

Critical issues

Extremely important problems or topics, such as how people use antibiotics.

Consequences

The results or effects of an action or condition, which can be either positive or negative.

Adapted

Changed over time to be better suited to new conditions or environments.

Policymakers

Individuals or groups responsible for creating rules, regulations, or strategies.

Combat

To fight against something, such as an infection or a problem.

Unprecedented step

An action or decision that has never been done or known before, such as the World Health Organization creating a "reserve" list of antibiotics.

Contradicts

To be in conflict with or state the opposite of something.

Unambiguous fact

A clear and unmistakable truth.

Premature

Happening or done before the usual or proper time; too early.

Compelling reasons

Reasons that strongly persuade or convince.

Overkill

More than what is necessary or appropriate; excessive.

Double-edge sword

Something that has both positive and negative consequences.

Compromising (effectiveness)

Weakening or damaging the quality or effectiveness of something.

Problematic

Posing a problem or difficulty; difficult to deal with.

Vague

Not clearly or explicitly stated or expressed; imprecise.

Subjective

Based on personal feelings, tastes, or opinions, rather than objective facts.

Revolutionized

To completely change or transform something, often in a significant and profound way.

Widespread use

Used extensively by many people or in many places.

Inappropriate or unnecessary

Not suitable, proper, or required.

Academic text

A formal, structured piece of writing, typically used in educational contexts, designed to inform, analyze, or persuade based on evidence.

SLO

An acronym for "Student Learning Outcome," referring to the specific learning goal or skill being evaluated in the assessment.

Supporting details

Pieces of information that explain, illustrate, or prove a main idea in a text. These can personal experience, statistics, expertise, credentials, and research facts.

Personal experience (anecdote)

A short, often interesting or illustrative story about a real incident or person, used to support a point or provide an example.

Research statistics

Facts or pieces of data expressed in numbers, often obtained from research or studies. Possible signal information includes numbers, percentages, and citations.

Expert

A person who has comprehensive and authoritative knowledge or skill in a particular area.

Credentials

The qualifications, achievements, or experience that indicate a person's suitability for a particular role or their expertise in a field.

Research fact

A piece of information that is verified through systematic investigation or study. Possible signal information includes reporting verbs, quotes, and research studies and findings.

Identify

To recognize or distinguish something.

Topic sentence

The sentence in a paragraph that expresses its main idea or subject.

Paraphrase

To express someone else's words or ideas in your own words, usually to make them clearer or shorter.

Results (effects)

The outcomes or consequences of an action or condition. Possible signal words or phrases include "is caused from" and "as a result."

Definition

The meaning of a word. Possible signal words and phrases include "or...," "(which) is...," and "meaning..."

Similar

Terms used to compare things that are alike.

In contrast to

An expression used to show that something is different from or the opposite of something else.

Example

Something that shows or represents something else. Possible signal words and phrases include "for instance," "such as," "like," and "another."

Reasons (causes)

Why something is true or why something happened. Possible signals words and phrases include "since," "because," "from," and "is caused by."

Expert opinion

What an expert in the field thinks. Possible signal information includes credibility information, degrees, job titles, and people's names