Unit 12: Diseases and Infection Learning Aim C: Understand how infectious diseases can be treated and managed. This assignment and unit was graded an overall DISTINCTION. It is an extremely detailed assignment that meets all criteria in the best of detail, everything has been analysed, explained an...
What are antibiotics?
● Antibiotics are a type of chemical treatment used to fight against bacterial infections.
They work by blocking key processes in bacteria. Antibiotics can either kill the
bacteria directly, this is known as bactericidal antibiotics or by stopping their growth
and reproduction, this is known as bacteriostatic antibiotics. Antibiotics are only
specific to bacteria and not other pathogens which helps the body’s immune system
to fight the bacterial infections.
Bacterial disease: Cholera
● Cholera is a severe diarrheal disease caused by the vibrio cholerae pathogen that
infects the small intestine. Treatments include antibiotics such as doxycycline, zinc
treatment and hydration therapy.
Mode of action of antibiotics:
● Inhibition of microbial cell wall synthesis: specific antibiotics target bacterial cell
walls. They disrupt the formation of the bacterial cell making its structure weak and in
turn leading to cell death.
● Inhibition of protein synthesis: antibiotics such as tetracyclines target the bacterial
cells ribosomes, which are responsible to make proteins. These antibiotics bind to
the specific components of the ribosomes and they prevent the synthesis of bacterial
proteins stopping bacterial growth as well as reproduction.
● Inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis: some antibiotics interfere with synthesis of
bacterial DNA or RNA. They prevent the bacteria from replicating their DNA or RNA
as well as their ability to grow and reproduce by inhibiting the function of enzymes
involved in DNA replication and RNA synthesis.
● Disruption of cell membrane function: some antibiotics target the bacterial cells
cell membrane. They combine with lipids present in the cell membrane causing
disruption and leakage of the bacterial cells components, leading to cell death.
● Inhibition of metabolic pathways: specific antibiotics interfere with specific
metabolic pathways that are vital for bacterial cells to survive. They block the
synthesis of essential metabolites and stop the enzymes involved in metabolic
reactions to disrupt bacterial cell growth and metabolism.
, How are antibiotics administered?
● The delivery of treatment for antibiotics can vary depending on how severe the
cholera infection is. The most common way antibiotics are given is orally, this method
can be taken in forms of tablets, capsules or liquid suspensions allowing the
antibiotics to be absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and be distributed
throughout the body. In worse cases, antibiotics can be given intravenously by
directly delivering it into the bloodstream through a vein allowing for a fast and
effective distribution throughout the body.
Reasons why treatment may work:
● Antibiotics have specific modes of actions that target essential processes and
structures only within bacterial cells
● They are designed to selectively target bacterial cells and at the same time reduce
harm to human cells. They are able to do this by taking advantage of changes
between bacterial cells and human cells structure and metabolic functions. Antibiotics
can either be bacteriostatic or bactericidal.
● Different antibiotics are effective against specific types of bacteria. While some
antibiotics have a restricted spectrum and can only kill certain kinds of bacteria,
others have a broad spectrum and can only kill a variety of bacteria.
Reasons why treatment may not work:
● Bacteria have the ability to develop resistance to antibiotics through several modes
such as genetic mutations. When the bacteria becomes too resistant to an antibiotic,
the drug will no longer be effective against them
● The effectiveness of antibiotics depends on their correct usage. Taking antibiotics as
prescribed at the correct dosage and duration is crucial for the infection to be
completely gone. If antibiotics aren't being used properly, it can lead to treatment
failure and the development of antibiotic resistance.
● Some antibiotics may interact in a bad way while an individual is taking other
medications. This can reduce the effectiveness of the drug or cause adverse effects.
What are antivirals?
● Antivirals are medications used to treat viral infections by stopping the replication and
spreading of viruses in the body. They are only able to target specific viruses or
groups of viruses, and help reduce how severe and how long a viral infection is.
Viral disease: Influenza
● Influenza, which is also known as the Flu, is caused by influenza viruses which
belong to the Orthomyyxoviridae family. There are two different types: influenza A
infects adults and influenza B infects children. Influenza is treated using antiviral
medication
Mode of action of antivirals:
● Viral enzyme inhibition: most antiviral drugs target viral enzymes responsible for
viral replication. They combine with the viral DNA during the replication process
which leads to the DNA synthesis to be ended early. This stops the replication of the
virus.
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