4 myths about antibiotics denied by science

4 myths about antibiotics denied by science

We have all been victims of some bacterial infection and thanks to the antibiotics we have gone unscathed without many complications. These chemicals are undoubtedly transcendental and have helped save lives since 1928, when the British scientist Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin. This historical fact marked a before and after in the treatment of infectious diseases.

It is true that when we prescribe antibiotics we must take certain precautions. Some popular beliefs are totally true, for example that antibiotics eliminate beneficial bacteria from our intestines. So some of them lead to diarrhea and upset stomach

However, most of these "precautions" have no validity for experts. Here are the 4 most common myths explained under the magnifying glass of scientists:

1 You should not drink alcohol if you are taking antibiotics.

Inevitably the combination antibiotic and alcohol sounds fatal, and even lethal, for most of us. It is very common to hear at a party or social gathering the phrase "I can't drink alcohol because I'm taking antibiotics." We've even said it to ourselves a couple of times.

However, so far there is no scientific evidence to support this assertion. Fortunately for wine or beer lovers, most research has not found any negative symptoms of the combination of antibiotics and alcoholic beverages.

Of course, there are exceptions, such as Cephalosporin Cefotetan and Ceftriaxone cephalosporin. These substances seem to retard alcohol degradation and cause havoc in the body, such as nausea and vomiting.

Although there is not enough scientific evidence to convince us to completely eliminate alcohol under antibiotic treatment, it is not a good idea to overdo the consumption of alcoholic beverages if we have any physical discomfort, it is nothing attractive Combine Hangover with disease!

2 Antibiotics cure any disease and infection.

Using antibiotics for any discomfort or fever is a serious mistake. It won't do any good if the cause of your illness is, for example, a virus. Remember that antibiotics act only against bacteria. So you should consult the doctor to inquire in the causes of your illness and prescribe, or not, antibiotics.

The next time you feel flu-like symptoms (which is a viral disease), be aware that antibiotics will be completely useless to fight it.

3 Overuse of antibiotics "create" resistant bacteria

It is absolutely true that the indiscriminate use of antibiotics favors the growth of resistant bacteria resistance to antibiotics is dangerous! Most of us do not understand that the gravity of the issue is colossal, so it is considered a global health problem.

However, the myth refers to the mechanism by which the resistance occurs. We must understand that the presence of the antibiotic does not "create" the resistant bacteria, these already existed! The antibiotic kills susceptible bacteria while I can do nothing with the resistant ones, which leads to the growth of the latter.

This important discovery is known as "fluctuation test" and I take Max Delbruck and Salvador Luria to win the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine interesting, no?

4 Antibiotics "cut" the effects of the contraceptive pill

There is a popular belief that antibiotic treatment decreases the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. It is argued that both interact and the absorption of the contraceptive decreases, which would reduce its efficacy.

For most antibiotics, this statement has not been corroborated in the laboratory. It has only been demonstrated for rifampicin that there is indeed interaction with oral contraceptive.

Antibiotics are responsible for the population to have such a high life expectancy compared to a few years ago. Thanks to these incredible chemicals we do not die of a simple bacterial infection, that believe it or not, was a cause of great concern and mortality in the past.

You already have arguments validated by science when you see your friend give up a drink at the bar for his treatment with antibiotics or when they tell you to take antibiotics for you to heal quickly from the flu that everyone is giving.