Antibiotics: uses, risks, and resistance

Definition of antibiotics as antibacterial antimicrobials

An antibiotic is a type of antimicrobial substance that is active against bacteria. In medical usage, antibiotics are considered a major class of antibacterial agents used to treat and prevent bacterial infections, and they work either by killing bacteria (bactericidal) or by inhibiting their growth (bacteriostatic). Although the term “antibiotic” can be used broadly to oppose microbes, the usual definition in medicine focuses on antibacterial drugs, such as penicillin. Antibiotics are part of a wider category called antibacterials, which includes bactericides, bacteriostatics, antibacterial soaps, and chemical disinfectants. While some antibiotics may also have activity against certain protozoa, antibiotics are not effective against viruses or fungi. Historically, the term evolved from an earlier, narrower meaning—substances produced by microorganisms that antagonize other microbes—to the current usage where an antibiotic is any medication that kills bacteria or inhibits their growth, regardless of whether it is naturally produced or synthetic.

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Antibiotics vs non-antibiotic antibacterials

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