Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance

Antimicrobial Therapy

Antimicrobial therapy is a crucial aspect of modern medicine that involves the use of medications to treat or prevent infections caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. It plays a vital role in saving lives and improving patient outcomes. The primary goal of antimicrobial therapy is to kill or inhibit the growth of the pathogenic microorganism responsible for the infection. Different antimicrobial agents are used depending on the type of infection and the specific microorganism involved. Antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitic drugs are common examples of antimicrobial agents. However, the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial therapy have contributed to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, a global health concern. This occurs when microorganisms develop the ability to withstand the effects of antimicrobial drugs, rendering them ineffective.