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What are antibiotics?

Medicine & HealthLesson on requestFree to read

Quick answer

Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria or stop them from multiplying, used to treat bacterial infections. They don't work against viruses, and overusing them breeds resistant 'superbugs'. They target bacteria specifically — not viruses (so they don't treat colds or flu).

Key things to understand

  1. They target bacteria specifically — not viruses (so they don't treat colds or flu).
  2. Some kill bacteria; others stop them reproducing so the body can clear them.
  3. Finishing the full course helps fully clear the infection.
  4. Overuse drives antibiotic resistance, a serious global threat.

People also ask

Do antibiotics work on viruses?
No — antibiotics only work against bacteria. Viral infections like colds and flu don't respond to them.
What is antibiotic resistance?
When bacteria evolve to survive antibiotics, making infections harder to treat — driven by overuse and misuse.
Why finish the whole course?
Stopping early can leave the toughest bacteria alive, risking relapse and resistance.