Antibiotics are one of the great achievements of modern medicine. Since Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928, antibiotics have saved countless lives and extended the average human life span by more than 20 years.

Antibiotics are one of the great achievements of modern medicine. Since Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928, antibiotics have saved countless lives and extended the average human life span by more than 20 years. But maybe because of this, we have ignored the other side of antibiotics that also harms human health.

In clinical practice, there are more than 100 commonly used antibiotics, such as our commonly used penicillins, cephalosporins, erythromycin , etc. Each type has its own characteristics. When used, it needs to be appropriately selected according to different diseases, groups of people and bacteria.

cephalosporin and amoxicillin are both antibiotics, but their effects are very different? Doctor: Don’t take it randomly if you don’t understand

. Drug categories

Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug, and cephalosporins are a class of drugs, including first-, second-, third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins.

. Whether to take a skin test

Amoxicillin belongs to the penicillin antibiotics. A skin test is required before use, because an immediate allergic reaction may lead to anaphylactic shock and death; while cephalosporins cause less allergic reactions than penicillins. Skin testing is not mandated by the state.

, antibacterial spectrum

Amoxicillin can be used for infections caused by enterococci, Listeria , and can also be combined with other antibacterial drugs such as metronidazole and clarithromycin to clear Helicobacter pylori infections;

Cephalosporins cannot be used for these infections. Cephalosporins also have their own antibacterial spectrum characteristics. For example, ceftazidime in the third-generation cephalosporins can be used for infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa , while A. Moxicillin is not effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The role of antibiotics is undoubted, but the prerequisite is to learn to use them properly

. Antibiotics are not a panacea. On the contrary, many people believe that antibiotics are ineffective or of little help in situations where antibiotics are used;

. Do not use antibiotics unless necessary, because antibiotics are used There are far-reaching health costs;

. Do not use antibiotics without a prescription, do not buy antibiotics at the pharmacy yourself, and do not use antibiotics left over from last time as "necessary household" health care drugs;

. Viral infections such as colds and common coughs, etc., do not Antibiotics are needed, even for certain bacterial infections, such as pharyngitis, the help of antibiotics is minimal, and the health cost of using antibiotics is not worth it;

5. Do not ask the doctor to prescribe antibiotics, and do not put pressure on the doctor;

6. For common oral problems such as gum inflammation, generally using antiseptic mouthwash or taking a few days of rest may be enough to relieve the inflammation, and there is no need to pay a health price for using antibiotics;

7. Every time antibiotics are used, whether used correctly or misused, it has a negative impact on the intestinal tract. It is a major injury. It will take a long time for the intestinal flora and to have a chance to recover, and they may not be able to recover.

Reading extension - an immune protein is expected to deal with antibiotic resistance

The Australian National University recently issued a communiqué saying that a study involving researchers from the school found that a specific protein in the immune system can kill including bacteria, including drug-resistant bacteria, which may help in the future development of new drugs to treat infectious diseases including meningitis, pneumonia and sepsis.

Research shows that this protein, called "guanylate-binding protein," has the potential to directly bind to and kill specific types of bacteria.

Researchers say this protein can destroy bacteria like an "axe chopping wood", causing them to die. In addition to laying the foundation for new treatments, such proteins could be combined with existing antibiotics, giving doctors more options when treating certain types of infectious diseases.