Antibiotics, Antivirals and Antiseptics Flashcards

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What is an antibiotic?

An antibiotic is a medicine that kills bacteria or stops them growing inside the body.

Which type of pathogen can be treated with antibiotics?

Antibiotics can treat infections caused by bacteria, but not those caused by viruses or fungi.

Why do antibiotics not work on viruses?

Antibiotics target parts of bacterial cells, such as cell walls, but viruses live and reproduce inside our cells and do not have these structures.

Why should you finish the whole course of antibiotics your doctor gives you?

You should finish the course to make sure all the bacteria are killed and the infection does not return.

Why should doctors not give antibiotics for colds or flu?

Colds and flu are caused by viruses, and antibiotics do not kill viruses, so they would not help.

What is an antiviral drug?

An antiviral is a medicine that treats viral infections by slowing or stopping viruses from reproducing in the body.

Why is it difficult to develop safe antiviral drugs?

Viruses live and reproduce inside our body cells, so drugs that affect viruses can also harm our own cells.

What is an antiseptic?

An antiseptic is a chemical that kills or slows down microorganisms on the outside of the body or on surfaces.

Where are antiseptics commonly used?

Antiseptics are used on skin, cuts and wounds, and on surfaces in places like hospitals to reduce the spread of microbes.

How is an antibiotic different from an antiseptic?

Antibiotics are taken into the body to treat bacterial infections, while antiseptics are used on the outside of the body or on surfaces to kill microbes.