Antibiotics of the triple action spectrum

The usual mold, from which penicillin was once obtained, revolutionized medicine. However, like any effective medicine, the first antibiotics had many side effects. And although much has changed over the past 70 years, myths and hardened prejudices still confuse the townsfolk. Especially when it comes to prescribing antibiotics to a small child. Antibiotics of the triple spectrum of action - the subject matter of the article.

What are antibiotics?

So are the substances that produce microorganisms for the destruction of other microorganisms. But often antibiotics are confused with antimicrobial, antibacterial drugs. The latter - the creation of human hands, that is, not taken from nature, but synthesized in the laboratory. These include, for example, open before penicillin sulfonamides (streptocides, bishops), as well as nitrofurans and fluoroquinolones. They act, it seems, and most importantly, the effects of their intake for the human body are the same as those of antibiotics. That's why they are often confused. However, there is a general concept of antibacterial drugs, which are covered by antibiotics.

Why give antibiotics for ARVI?

In principle, nothing antibiotics are fatal to bacteria, but not for viruses. Most ARIs are viral in nature, they are treated with antiviral drugs and immunoglobulins. But even an ordinary cold against a background of reduced immunity can give a complication in the form of a bacterial infection. Its usual sign is a temperature that does not fall off for more than five days or first decreases, and then jumps abruptly. Only in this case the doctor prescribes antibacterial drugs. But the "preventive" reception of an antibiotic during ARVI does not protect against bacterial complications, but, on the contrary, it helps. After all, an antibiotic suppresses the growth of "normal" microbes sensitive to it and thereby clears pathogens for pathogens that cause infection.

What diseases do not require antibiotic treatment?

In addition to ARVI, many diseases are caused by viruses: influenza, measles, rubella, chicken pox, epidemic parotitis, hepatitis A, B, C, infectious mononucleosis. In the absence of complications, they are not treated with antibiotics. Antibacterial drugs do not work on fungi, worms and lamblia. Some diseases - diphtheria, botulism, tetanus - are caused not by bacteria, but by toxins that microbes secrete. Therefore, they are treated with antitoxic sera.

Allergy to an antibiotic

Antibiotics are potential allergens, but fortunately, shock reactions are not so common. By the way, if the medicine is prescribed "at the address", the allergy is unlikely to arise, since many bacterial infections reduce the allergic readiness of the organism. But if the antibiotic is prescribed incorrectly, the risk of developing an allergy is higher, do not take antihistamines; about the arisen allergy it is necessary to inform the doctor immediately, he will cancel the medicine and replace it with another. On the previously observed reaction, it is also worth informing the doctor that he did not prescribe a deliberately inappropriate preparation.

Why should an antibiotic be drunk to the end?

If the antibiotic is chosen correctly, it will change the situation for the better in one or two days. But if you stop the course, the remaining bacteria in the body will develop resistance to the medicine, a relapse will occur, which will be cured more difficult. In acute conditions, as a rule, an antibiotic is given within two to three days after a drop in temperature. But not always: the angina, for example, is treated for at least ten days.

Why can not you give your child an antibiotic?

Antibacterial drugs - several hundred species. And they all act differently and on different bacteria. Some - "specialists" narrow, others - a wide profile. An incorrectly prescribed medication will be ineffective (and the delay sometimes causes death similar if it is an infection). Even the dose of the drug should be selected not according to the annotations on the box, but individually, depending on the child's age, weight, underlying and associated diseases, and so on.

Why can not you use an antibiotic yourself, which already helped once?

A six-month-old baby, two and five year olds, needs a different treatment, even if they are the same. The second time the medicine may not work. And the doctor, not knowing what and how much the independent parents gave to the baby, will find it difficult to choose an effective drug.

What form of the drug is more comfortable for children?

It is easier to dose soluble tablets, syrups, suspensions and powders, drops. Injections - in extreme cases.

What antibacterial drugs are contraindicated for children?

Fluoroquinolones can cause growth disorders; aminoglycosides - to give complications to the ears and kidneys. Tetracycline stains the enamel of growing teeth, so it is not prescribed for children under eight. Some doctors believe that children should not prescribe antibiotics of the fourth generation, which are enough to take once a day: they are too straining the body. However, among doctors there are also opposite opinions.

Do antibiotics always cause dysbacteriosis?

Antibiotics, killing the pathogen, at the same time suppress the normal flora of the body. But not all and not always. Many common antibiotics do not cause disruption of the intestinal flora. Dysbacteriosis is more likely to occur if the course of treatment is long, and the antibiotic - a broad spectrum of action. If lacto- and bifidobacteria are used to restore intestinal flora, the course should be at least two weeks.