Should Know Antibiotics are a very important part of modern medicine. These drugs are used to fight many infections caused by bacteria. The following facts about antibiotics will help you understand how these drugs work, possible side effects, and the importance of taking antibiotics as directed by your doctor. Antibiotics do not work against all infections.
Antibiotics work only against infections that are caused by bacteria.
These drugs are not effective at all against most viral infections. This is why your doctor will not always prescribe an antibiotic if you have an infection. Antibiotics should not be used for these viral infections because they don't help, they may cause side effects, and this contributes to the growing problem of bacterial resistance. Antibiotics may cause side effects. If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic, be sure to ask him or her what possible side effects to watch for.