Introduction
I am working as a volunteer for an international charity whose aims are to overcome the threats to
people’s health created by outbreaks of serious infections and diseases caused by bacteria, viruses,
fungi, parasites or protozoa. My role as a volunteer is to help research the various antimicrobial,
antiviral, anti-malaria, antifungal, vaccine, immunoglobulin and rehydration therapies being used to
treat a range of infectious diseases so that published information regarding the charity’s work can be
kept up to date. Therefore, the aim of the assignment is to know the different ways that can be used
to treat infectious diseases.
→ Antibiotics → Antibiotics are bacteria-killing drugs which are used in the treatment and
prevention of bacterial infections. This is because it has chemicals that have the ability to kill or
inhibit bacteria. Therefore, antibiotics are medicines that are used to treat bacterial infections which
are treated by killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria. This means that they can help to prevent
infectious diseases that aren’t as severe from becoming more dangerous.
How does antibiotics work?
Antibiotics work by interfering
with the bacterial cell wall,
preventing the bacteria from
growing and reproducing.
Because human cells lack cell
walls, while many bacteria have.
This means that antibiotics can
be used to target bacteria
without harming human cells.
Antibiotics are either bactericidal
(killing bacteria) or bacteriostatic
(preventing pathogens from
multiplying). Moreover,
antibiotics can be used to treat the following types of infectious diseases such as: strep throat,
bladder, kidney infections, bacterial pneumonias and urinary tract infections. Furthermore, the body
will attempt to fight the pathogen when a person has a bacterial infection by directing white blood
cells to the infection site. Antibiotics can therefore be used to treat infections that are severe and the
immune system is weak. Therefore, strep throat is one particular bacterial illness that may be
treated with antibiotics.
Strep throat
Strep throat is an infectious illness that affects the tonsils and throat and is caused by a specific type
of bacteria known as Streptococcus. Hence, in addition to giving someone a very painful fever, strep
throat also causes inflammation in the throat's surrounding region. The following are only a few of
the rapidly developing strep throat symptoms: headache, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and
nausea and vomiting. In addition, when a person has strep throat, their tonsils and throat may often
seem red, develop swelling, and become swollen and painful. Moreover, tonsils and the throat may
develop petechiae, which are white patches, lumps, or streaks of pus. In addition, the tonsils and
,throat infections may cause the lymph nodes in the neck to swell and become sore. Also, because
strep throat is infectious, it can be passed from one person to another.
Treatments:
Antibiotics are the main treatment for strep throat since it is a bacterial infection that is caused on by
bacteria. This is so that the immune system can more effectively combat the remaining pathogen
since antibiotics operate by either killing or delaying the development of bacteria. Antibiotics can
therefore efficiently eliminate the bacteria, lessen the intensity, and shorten the duration of the
symptoms. As a result, a doctor will frequently recommend antibiotics including penicillin,
amoxicillin, and erythromycin. These antibiotics operate by stopping the creation of bacterial cell
walls, which stops germs from multiplying and spreading. Moreover, it is necessary to finish the
whole antibiotic course as directed, which helps to assure that all bacteria have been eliminated. In
addition, failing to finish the entire course of antibiotics might result in antibiotic resistance, making
it harder to treat recurrent infections.
Moreover, antibiotics that block the formation of bacterial cell walls do so by specifically attacking or
inhibiting peptidoglycan, a particular part of the bacterial cell wall. This is so that the bacterial cell
may be enclosed in a strong structure made of peptidoglycan, a complex network of sugar and amino
acid molecules. As a result, antibiotics that prevent the manufacture of bacterial cell walls target the
peptidoglycan, a protective component that prevents the process of building and maintaining the cell
wall. This indicates that the cell wall weakens, ultimately leading to the bacterial cell's destruction.
The cell wall is therefore unable to protect the cell.
Furthermore, the way that antibiotics are delivered varies depending on the sort of
infections that are causing the condition. As a result, there are four basic routes to deliver an
antibiotic, including: oral antibiotic which this is a typical method of delivering antibiotics that is
simple to consume as a tablet, capsule, or liquid. Hence, less serious infections and illnesses are
treated with oral antibiotics. The other method of delivering antibiotics is Injectable antibiotics
which Injecting the antibiotic conveniently into a vein, muscle, or subcutaneous tissue. Antibiotics
are thus used to treat more serious infections and disorders that need quick care. Moreover, topic
antibiotic is the most common types of topical antibiotics include creams, ointments, and gels that
may be applied directly to the skin in the afflicted region. As a result, skin infections are typically
treated with topical antibiotics. Finally, intravenous antibiotics is another method which a catheter is
a tiny tube that is used to provide intravenous antibiotics straight into a vein. As a result, severe
illnesses and situations where the patient finds it difficult to take oral medicines can both be treated
with intravenous antibiotics. Thus, a doctor's recommendation for treating strep throat is an oral
antibiotic that can be taken for 10 days in the form of tablets or capsules. Because the body might
develop a resistance to the antibiotic and the illness could worsen, it's crucial to finish the entire
course of the antibiotic. Moreover, the doctor will prescribe injectable antibiotics or intravenous
antibiotics if the condition is severe and hence the antibiotic is injected straight into the blood if the
oral drug doesn't work or the patient could ingest the oral prescription.
However, not all antibiotics function the same way and some antibiotics may only work against
bacterial illnesses rather than viral ones, which might make them ineffective for some people.
Moreover, only bacterial illnesses should be treated with antibiotics, and only for as long as is
required. The usage or overuse of antibiotics can result in antibiotic resistance as well as other
negative side effects.
, → Antifungal →
All across the world, fungi may be found in a wide range of environments. The majority of fungi do
not infect people with illnesses. Hence, it has the potential to sicken and infect people. Antifungal
drugs are used to treat and prevent mycosis, including athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis, and
serious systemic infections such cryptococcal meningitis, among others. Antifungal medications work
by either destroying the fungi or preventing their development. Clotrimazole, econazole, miconazole,
terbinafine, fluconazole, ketoconazole, and amphotericin are a few antifungal drugs that are
frequently used to treat illness.
There are two different types of antifungals: local and systemic. This
is because systemic antifungals may be delivered orally or
intravenously, but local antifungals can only be delivered topically or
cervical dilation. Antifungal medications can therefore be found in a
range of forms, including cream, sprays, liquids, oral medications,
and injections. These effects by acting by breaking down the
fungus's cell wall, which damages and kills the fungus.
Moreover, antifungal medications may have possible adverse effects
including rash, itching, redness, exhaustion, soreness, and pain. As a
result, using antifungal medicine may result in a more severe
reaction, including an allergic reaction, a serious skin infection, liver
damage, and weakness.
Antifungal medications can therefore be used to treat fungal infections that affect the skin, nails, and
other bodily organs. As a consequence, antifungal treatment either prevents fungus from multiplying
and developing or kills it. As a result, one specific fungus illness that may be treated with an
antifungal is ringworm.
Ringworm
Tinea corporis, often known as ringworm, is a
skin condition triggered by a fungus that grows
on the scalp, skin, hairs, and fingernail. The
fungus which causes both jock and athlete's
foot is ringworm. Ringworm is easily
identifiable due to its form. Over time, a red
itchy or scaly piece of skin may frequently
develop into a swollen, ring-shaped region of
skin. It has the potential to spread out into
numerous rings. The surface of this ring is red
and may look swollen. Ringworm It is very
infectious and may be transferred by skin-to-skin, contact or contact with pets. Thus, the symptoms
may include: itchy skin, ring-shaped rash, cracked skin, hair loss, overlapping rings, slightly raise and
expanding rings. Moreover, washing hands after coming into contact with animals is one way to
prevent ringworm. cleaning the living space for pets less interaction with animals or persons who
have been ringworm-diagnosed. Also, never share anything like towels, clothes, or hairbrushes, and
always keep your skin clean.
