When an illness or disorder arises, we immediately look for a professional capable of diagnosing the causes of the disease through tests and symptoms and, after confirming a diagnosis, prescribing a medication.
Many people do not understand the difference between an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory, not understanding why the doctor often prescribes both together.
Antibiotics are medicines used in cases of illnesses caused by microorganisms such as fungi or bacteria. With the administration of antibiotics, the development of microorganisms is stopped, causing those present to be eliminated. Some examples of diseases caused by microorganisms are: pneumonia, tuberculosis and meningitis, among others. Some of the antibiotics used are: penicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline. Viruses are treated with exclusive drugs called antivirals.
Anti-inflammatory drugs are used to eliminate any edema or swelling caused by an illness, trauma or aggression, allergy and burns. This medication minimizes the effects caused by the body's defense by activating the local circulation.
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Thus, the antibiotic acts on the causative agent of a disease, be it bacteria or fungus. The anti-inflammatory acts on inflammation generated by some trauma or aggression.
It is important to emphasize that the indiscriminate use of antibiotics can generate resistant microorganisms, since there is a possibility of selection of the weaker ones. Thus, they become more and more difficult to be eliminated.
Often, the food itself serves as an antibiotic. Spices like garlic, ginger, cinnamon, among many others are great antibiotics that, added to a diet and style. of healthy and balanced life, prevent a large number of health problems by inhibiting the development of microorganisms.
There are also natural anti-inflammatory drugs and studies on them that aim to minimize side effects and at a more affordable price than the pharmaceuticals found on the market today.
By Giorgia Lay-Ang
Graduated in Biology
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
ARAGUAIA, Mariana. "Anti-inflammatory and antibiotics"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/biologia/antiinflamatorios-antibioticos.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
