Why do I have to take all of my antibiotics, and how do they work?
Why do I get worse if I only take half?
2007-02-06 03:57:38 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
May you have no idea...
2007-02-06 04:03:12 · update #1
Marc, you may have just gotten 10 by default... I do have a bit of a problem with that... sigh I'm such a s|ut...
2007-02-06 04:05:02 · update #2
I see a lot of CLOSE answers and one correct...
2007-02-06 04:07:06 · update #3
The idea is that if you do not finish your prescription, then some of the microorganisms will survive. The survivors will then procreate producing more antibiotic resistant 'bugs' eventually creating a new strain of that particular org that is immune to the antibiotic in use.
That is what has happened to many of the germs now requiring the newest medicine available, they are immune to the older ones.
BTW, it is the same with antibiotic soap, antibiotics fed routinely to our livestock, etc. The more of a poison there is out there, the more opportunity for an org to develop resistance to it.
2007-02-06 04:05:19 · answer #1 · answered by credo quia est absurdum 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This has nothing to do with evolution but here is your answer: Antibiotics help the body to fight off a particular bacteria. Our bodies develop their own antibodies but the medicine helps to do that. If you only take half, there are still a lot of active and reproducing bacteria present that can make you even sicker because they are the strongest ones in the first place. By taking the medication for the prescribed amount of time, the level of active bacteria is way down so your own system can handle the remainder if necessary.
2007-02-06 12:08:22 · answer #2 · answered by Poohcat1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Antibiotics work by a variety of mechanisms, impairing the ability of bacteria to grow or reproduce. A full course of antibiotics is the amount demonstrated to eradicate infection at the target site effectively. Insufficient treatment allows the bacteria most resistant to the antibiotic to reestablish the infection and resist a further course of antibiotics. This means a follow-up course of antibiotics may be harsher.
2007-02-06 12:26:11 · answer #3 · answered by novangelis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't need to take antibiotics.
Therefore- I am more evolved than you.
but more seriously- the point you brought up is a good one. Because of how cush our society is- we (nearly) all survive, and we are evolving to be weaker individuals. Evolution doesn't naturally progress such that humans get smarter, stronger and healthier. That only happens when "survival of the fittest" is stressing your species. The next wave in evolution might occur with a nasty virus that kills 50% of humanity. the survivors will be the ones with the better immune systems. Or, survivors of the next war, might be the humans who are more tolerant to nuclear radiation.
2007-02-06 12:01:12 · answer #4 · answered by Morey000 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Antibiotics are effective against bacteria because they work to kill these living organisms by stopping their growth and reproduction. Bacteria are living organisms that are virtually everywhere (and usually harmless). In order to kill the living organism, antibiotics must be taken at regular intervals so that they stay active in your system. You must finish your entire prescription because that is the amount that is the minimum needed to kill the bacteria.
Antibiotics, when overprescribed, can result in the development of bacteria that doesn't respond. The bacteria adapts to the antibiotics, and they no longer work as they have in the past.
2007-02-06 12:08:42 · answer #5 · answered by glitterkittyy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Evolution...
You have to take the whole dose so that the virus doesnt mutate half way through the treatment and EVOLVE into a different virus which can effectively combat your antibiotics...
As for how they work...call a pharmacist!
2007-02-06 12:02:04 · answer #6 · answered by YDoncha_Blowme 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You don't have to. You have free will.
However, the interaction of the chemicals in the antibiotics and the "Bugs" in your body that you are trying to eliminate will stop and the "bugs" will not be eradicated.
You will not necessarily get worse if you don't complete the course, you just may not get better.
2007-02-06 12:03:41 · answer #7 · answered by Sam Fisher 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your prescription contains the correct dosage and duration to kill the germs. If you do not take all of the medicine, some of the germs may survive and mutate into germs resistant to anti-biotics.
2007-02-06 12:03:07 · answer #8 · answered by Skyhawk 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't accept that that is "evolution". Some bugs are stronger than others. If you take the antibiotic for a little bit, and kill off the weaker bugs, then those who have not been killed bloom when you stop taking the drug. Also, antibiotics harm your body, and make it less able to take care of itself.
2007-02-06 12:03:20 · answer #9 · answered by hasse_john 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
The first half train your body to kill the bacteria, the second half reiterate what the first half did - who knows??
There is no evolution evident here because when you reproduce your children will be back to square one with no resistance in their systems to the same bacteria.
2007-02-06 12:18:37 · answer #10 · answered by smooch 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋