Science Common Sense
28 - How do antibiotics fight infections?
Antibiotics are special medicines that help our body fight infections. They work in a few ways:
- Kill the bad guys: Antibiotics can kill the bacteria that are causing the infection. They target the bacteria's cell walls, making it hard for them to survive.
- Stop them from multiplying: Some antibiotics stop the bacteria from making copies of themselves. This helps our body fight the infection more easily.
- Help our body's immune system: Antibiotics can also help our body's immune system fight the infection by letting it focus on other things.
But remember, antibiotics only work on bacterial infections, not on viral infections like the flu or a cold. Always use antibiotics only when prescribed by a doctor.