Many microorganisms surround a person. There are beneficial 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 also a lot of them. Many diseases are caused by the activity of bacteria in the human body. And the only way to deal with them is with antibiotics. Most of them have a bactericidal effect. This property of such drugs helps to prevent the active reproduction of bacteria and leads to their death. Various products with this effect are widely used for indoor and outdoor use.
What is bactericidal action?
This property of drugs is used to destroy various microorganisms. Various physical and chemical agents possess such quality. A bactericidal effect is the ability to destroy the cell wall of bacteria and thereby cause their death. The speed of this process depends on the concentration of the active substance and the number of microorganisms. Only with the use of antibiotics of the penicillin group, the bactericidal effect does not increase with increasing amount of the drug. They have bactericidal action:
- ultraviolet rays, radioactive radiation;
- antiseptic and disinfectant chemicals, for example, chlorine, iodine, acids, alcohols, phenols and others;
- chemotherapeutic drugs with antibacterial effects for oral administration.
Where are such funds required?
A bactericidal effect is that property of certain substances that is constantly required by a person in economic and household activities. Most often, such drugs are used to disinfect rooms in children's and medical institutions, public places and catering establishments. Use them to handle hands, dishes, equipment. Bactericidal drugs are especially needed in medical institutions where they are used constantly. Many housewives use such substances in everyday life for the treatment of hands, plumbing and flooring.
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. Chemotherapeutic drugs are so far the only way to treat various infectious diseases caused by bacteria. The peculiarity of such drugs is that they destroy the cell walls of bacteria without affecting human cells.
Bactericidal antibiotics
Such drugs to fight infection are most often used. Antibiotics are divided into two groups: bactericidal and bacteriostatic, that is, those that do not kill bacteria, but simply do not allow them to multiply. The first group is used more often, since the effect of such drugs occurs faster. They are used in acute infectious processes, when there is an intensive division of bacterial cells. In such antibiotics, the bactericidal effect is expressed in disruption of protein synthesis and prevention of cell wall construction. As a result, the bacteria die. These antibiotics include:
- penicillins - Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Benzylpenicillin;
- cephalosporins, for example, Cefixime, Ceftriaxone;
- aminoglycosides - "Gentamicin", "Amikacin", "Streptomycin";
- fluoroquinolones - Norfloxacin, Levofloxacin;
- "Rifampicin", "Gramitsidin", "Sulfamethoxazole", "Metronidazole".
Bactericidal plants
The ability to destroy bacteria has some plants. They are less effective than antibiotics, they act much more slowly, but are often used as adjunctive treatment. The following bacteria have a bactericidal effect:
- aloe;
- black elderberry;
- drug hemorrhage;
- celandine;
- plantain;
- sea kale.
Local disinfectants
Such drugs with a bactericidal effect are used for the treatment of hands, implements, 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", "Chlorosept" and others;
- oxygen-containing products: hydrogen peroxide, "Hydroperite";
- 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, Lyapis, Protorgol;
- as well as phenol, formalin, tar, "Furacilin" and others.
Rules for the use of such drugs
All bactericides are potent and can cause serious side effects. When using external antiseptics, be sure to follow the instructions and avoid overdose. Some disinfectants are very toxic, for example, chlorine or phenol, so when working with them you need to protect your hands and respiratory organs and strictly observe the dosage.
Chemotherapy drugs for oral administration can also be dangerous. After all, together with pathogenic bacteria, they destroy beneficial microorganisms. Because of this, the patient disrupts the gastrointestinal tract, 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:
- they should be taken only as directed by a doctor;
- the dosage and regimen are very important: they act only if there is a certain concentration of the active substance in the body;
- treatment should not be interrupted prematurely, even if the condition has improved, otherwise bacteria may develop resistance;
- Drinking antibiotics is recommended only with water, as they work better.
Bactericidal drugs affect bacteria only, destroying them. They are ineffective against viruses and fungi, but destroy beneficial microorganisms. Because self-medication with such drugs is unacceptable.