Many microorganisms surround man. There are useful ones that live on the skin, mucous membranes and in the intestines. They help digest food, participate in the synthesis of vitamins and protect the body from pathogenic microorganisms. And there are a lot of them too. Many diseases are caused by the activity of bacteria in the human body. And the only way to deal with them is antibiotics. Most of them have a bactericidal effect. This property of such drugs helps prevent the active reproduction of bacteria and leads to their death. Various products with this effect are widely used for internal and external use.
What is bactericidal action
This property of drugs is used to destroy various microorganisms. Various physical and chemical agents have this quality. Bactericidal action is the ability of them to destroy the cell wallbacteria and thereby cause their death. The speed of this process depends on the concentration of the active substance and the number of microorganisms. Only when antibiotics of the penicillin group are used, the bactericidal effect does not increase with an increase in the amount of the drug. Have a bactericidal effect:
- ultraviolet rays, radioactive radiation;
- antiseptic and disinfectant chemicals such as chlorine, iodine, acids, alcohols, phenols and others;
- chemotherapeutic drugs with antibacterial action for oral administration.
Where such funds are required
Bactericidal action is the property of certain substances that a person constantly needs in economic and household activities. Most often, such drugs are used to disinfect premises in children's and medical institutions, public places and catering establishments. Use them for processing hands, utensils, inventory. Bactericidal preparations are especially needed in medical institutions, where they are used constantly. Many housewives use such substances in everyday life for cleaning hands, plumbing and floors.
Medicine is also an area where bactericidal drugs are used very often. External antiseptics, in addition to hand treatment, are used to cleanse wounds and fight infections of the skin and mucous membranes. Chemotherapy drugs are currently the only treatment for various infectious diseases caused by bacteria. The characteristic of these drugs isthat they destroy the cell walls of bacteria without affecting human cells.
Bactericidal antibiotics
These are the most commonly used drugs to fight infection. Antibiotics are divided into two groups: bactericidal and bacteriostatic, that is, those that do not kill bacteria, but simply prevent them from multiplying. The first group is used more often, since the action of such drugs comes faster. They are used in acute infectious processes, when there is an intensive division of bacterial cells. In such antibiotics, the bactericidal action is expressed in the violation of protein synthesis and the prevention of the construction of the cell wall. As a result, the bacteria die. These antibiotics include:
- penicillins - "Amoxicillin", "Ampicillin", "Benzylpenicillin";
- cephalosporins, e.g. Cefixime, Ceftriaxone;
- aminoglycosides - "Gentamicin", "Amikacin", "Streptomycin";
- fluoroquinolones - Norfloxacin, Levofloxacin;
- "Rifampicin", "Gramicidin", "Sulfamethoxazole", "Metronidazole".
Plants with bactericidal action
Some plants also have the ability to kill bacteria. They are less effective than antibiotics, act much more slowly, but are often used as an adjunct treatment. The following plants have a bactericidal effect:
- aloe;
- black elderberry;
- burnet officinalis;
- celandine;
- plantain;
- seaweed.
Local disinfectants
Such bactericidal preparations are used to treat hands, equipment, medical instruments, floors and plumbing. Some of them are safe for the skin and are even used to treat infected wounds. They can be divided into several groups:
- chlorine preparations: bleach, Chloramine, Javel, Chlorcept and others;
- oxygen-containing products: hydrogen peroxide, Hydroperit;
- iodine preparations: alcohol solution, "Lugol", "Iodoform";
- acids and alkalis: salicylic acid, boric acid, sodium bicarbonate, ammonia;
- preparations containing metals - silver, copper, aluminum, lead and others: alum, lead water, zinc ointment, "Xeroform", "Lapis", "Protorgol";
- as well as phenol, formalin, tar, "Furacilin" and others.
Rules for the use of such drugs
All germicides are potent and can cause serious side effects. When using external antiseptics, be sure to follow the instructions and avoid overdose. Somedisinfectants are very toxic, such as chlorine or phenol, so when working with them, you need to protect your hands and respiratory organs and strictly observe the dosage.
Oral chemotherapy drugs can also be dangerous. After all, along with pathogenic bacteria, they destroy beneficial microorganisms. Because of this, the patient's gastrointestinal tract is disturbed, there is a lack of vitamins and minerals, immunity decreases and allergic reactions appear. Therefore, when using bactericidal drugs, you need to follow some rules:
- take them only on prescription;
- dosage and regimen are very important: they only work if there is a certain concentration of the active substance in the body;
- treatment must not be interrupted prematurely, even if the condition has improved, otherwise the bacteria may develop resistance;
- it is recommended to drink antibiotics only with water, so they work better.
Bactericidal drugs affect only bacteria, destroying them. They are ineffective against viruses and fungi, but destroy beneficial microorganisms. Therefore, self-medication with such drugs is unacceptable.
