Microbiology: Principles and Explorations 9th Edition

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11874-316-4
ISBN 13: 978-1-11874-316-4

Chapter 13 - Antimicrobial Therapy - Clinical Case Study - Page 402: 1

Answer

Antibiotics should never be taken without a prescription. They should be taken only in the case of bacterial infections, for a specific period of time.

Work Step by Step

- The use of antibiotics must be specific. The type of bacteria causing the infection must be known in order to treat it with an antibiotic to which it is sensitive. - Antibiotic treatment must be complete. The amount of antibiotics that the doctor informs should be taken, in order to ensure the complete elimination of the infectious bacteria. - Antibiotics, like any medicine, have an expiration date. They should not be consumed after that date. - Colds are generally caused by viruses, therefore an antibiotic would not be effective as it only works to treat bacterial infections.
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