Antibiotics are not automatic

What is an antibiotic?

It is a chemical substance that with a low dose acts on the metabolism of bacteria, stopping their growth or killing them. However it can also be synthesized by the chemical transformation of compounds (these are called semi-synthetic antibiotics) or out of chemical reactions (called synthetic materials).

Today there exist approximately 10 000 of them but only around 100 are used commonly. They can act in different ways : by inhibiting enzymes in the bacterial wall ( ?), by destroying micro-organism or by blocking enzymes of DNA replication thereby preventing bacteria from proliferating.

In 2002 an information campaign called « Antibiotics are not automatic » was launched. The aim was to reduce the use of antibiotics in France. Indeed in some situations such as respiratory viral infections like flu or bronchiolitis antibiotics are ineffective.

What are the messages of the information campaign?

-          Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections :

Indeed we see that antibiotics act only on bacteria. The important difference between bacteria and viruses is that the viruses are not capable of replicating their own genetic heritage. They need our cells to do this. Antibiotics prevent bacteria replicating themselves. They were created to attack bacteria and are ineffective against viruses.

-          Mild infections don’t justify the use of antibiotics, particularly not in children, who need to strenghten their immune systems.

Antibiotics contribute to the less effective development of defense systems. Indeed defense systems need contact with germs to acquire good immunity. In every bacterial contamination the immune system creates effective antibodies, which would not be the case, or at least to a lesser extent, if antibiotics were used.

-          Antibiotics have no direct effect on fever.

In a fever antibiotics are only going to prevent the multiplication of bacteria and decrease the stimuli which make a fever rise.

-          Antibiotics are not harmless medicines ; they sometimes produce unwanted side-effects.

Every medicine can have undesirable effects such as digestive problems or even nausea. The same applies to antibiotics. Indeed they have an effect on bacteria which can be long lasting in the event of prolonged treatment.

This year health insurance companies will be launching a new advertising campaign on October 31st 2012. The slogan will be « Antibiotics used wrongly will loose their power ».

Indeed, bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics.