S4.4.5 For the adult
Antibiotics and medicines
Why did the health worker say that antibiotics will not help my cold?
What this chapter teaches
Antibiotics kill bacteria or stop them growing, and they do not work on viruses. Using them when they are not needed helps resistance spread, because resistant bacteria survive and multiply. New medicines are tested in steps, with a placebo group and a double blind design, so that the result is fair.
Three questions to ask
There is no one right wording. Listen for the idea.
- Why do antibiotics not work on a cold?
- Does a person become resistant to an antibiotic, or do the bacteria?
- Why does a medicine trial use a placebo group and a double blind design?
After the chapter, the learner can
- Explain why antibiotics kill bacteria but not viruses
- Explain how misuse of antibiotics leads to resistance
- Describe how new medicines are tested in trials
What they copy into their notebook
Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses. Misuse lets resistant bacteria survive and multiply. New medicines are tested on cells, usually on animals, then volunteers, then patients, with a placebo group and double blind.