3.6 Treatment & Antibiotics
Sometimes the immune system can’t win on its own, and we fall ill and need a doctor. For many bacterial illnesses, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
What Antibiotics Do — and Don’t Do Antibiotics kill bacteria. They work by targeting parts of bacterial cells that are different from human or animal cells, so they harm the germ but not us. Crucially, antibiotics work only against bacteria — they do nothing against viruses or diseases caused by protozoa. So an antibiotic will not cure a cold or the flu (both viral).
Think Like a Scientist: The Discovery of Penicillin In 1928, the London bacteriologist Alexander Fleming noticed that a mould had drifted onto a discarded petri dish of bacteria — and wherever the mould grew, the bacteria had stopped growing. The mould was releasing a bacteria-killing substance. That chance observation led to penicillin, the first antibiotic, which has since saved millions of lives. (Notice: it began with careful observation of something unexpected — exactly the investigative habit from Chapter 1.)
A growing danger: antibiotic resistance
Antibiotics are powerful — but they are losing their power, because they are being misused.
What Is Antibiotic Resistance? Antibiotic resistance is when bacteria that an antibiotic used to kill survive and multiply despite the treatment. It develops when antibiotics are taken when not needed, or the full course is not completed. A few naturally resistant bacteria survive, multiply, and even pass their resistance to other bacteria — until common infections become hard to treat, leading to longer illness, complications, and even death.
Activity 3.7 — Use antibiotics wisely To slow antibiotic resistance, we must use antibiotics only when a doctor prescribes them, in the correct dose, for the full duration — and never demand them for a viral cold or give them needlessly to animals. Avoiding unnecessary use keeps antibiotics working for future generations.
Spot the Mistake “I have a cold, so I’ll take an antibiotic to get better fast.” Wrong on two counts: a cold is caused by a virus, which antibiotics cannot touch; and taking antibiotics when they are not needed actively breeds resistant bacteria. The right move for a viral cold is rest, fluids and time.
Other systems of medicine
Traditional Medicine Indian systems like Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani have managed common health problems for centuries, using herbs, oils and minerals and stressing a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet. They can help with some conditions and everyday well-being, though they may not be effective for all diseases or at every stage. For non-communicable diseases, treatment focuses on managing symptoms through medication, lifestyle change and rehabilitation — with early diagnosis and continuous care being key.