Antibiotics

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are medicines used to treat bacterial diseases. For example, penicillin is an antibiotic produced by a fungus, which kills bacteria by weakening their cell walls so they burst.
Some antibiotics alter bacterial enzymes. Others stop bacteria from reproducing.
Specific antibiotics are used to kill specific bacteria, and they cannot kill viruses.
Antibiotics have greatly reduced deaths from bacterial diseases.
Some strains of bacteria have evolved resistance to antibiotics.
Over-prescription of antibiotics has contributed to the emergence of these resistant strains. Drug companies are constantly researching new antibiotics or alternatives for resistant strains.

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