Antibiotics and resistance

In short: Antibiotics kill bacteria or inhibit their growth. They do not work against viruses such as colds or flu. Wrong use promotes resistance, where antibiotics no longer help.

In more detail: Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin from mould in 1928.

In detail

• Effect: Attack, for example, the cell wall or protein synthesis of bacteria.
• Taking them: Only on medical prescription, exactly as directed and to the end, even if you feel better.
• Do not keep: Do not take leftovers later on your own initiative.
• Resistance: Bacteria with random mutations survive and multiply (evolution-grundlagen).
• Multi-resistant germs: Feared in hospitals, such as MRSA.
• Side effects: Stomach and bowel complaints, allergies, disturbance of gut flora (verdauungssystem-vom-mund-bis-zum-darm).
• Factory farming: Excessive antibiotic use aggravates the problem.
• Prevention: Hygiene and vaccinations reduce the need (bakterien-und-viren-unterschied).