By the early 1950's the discovery and introduction of streptomycin, tetracycline and other antibiotics led to effective treatment of a vast array of formerly life- threatening infections, illnesses and diseases. According to U.S. News Online, even back in the 40's, scientists knew that the more an antibiotic is used, the quicker it becomes useless. While most bacteria exposed to the drug are killed, the fittest survive and pass survival traits to their offspring. With continued use of the antibiotic, the resistant bugs proliferate. Bacteria that have become resistant to one antibiotic also seem to find it easier to build resistance to others.
Antibiotics are only effective in the treatment of bacterial infections.
They have absolutely zero impact on viral infections. Click here to find out How Antibiotics Work or, test your knowledge about Antibiotics with the Self Test .