Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: paul.fr on 17/08/2008 13:56:24

Title: Have antibiotics altered me?
Post by: paul.fr on 17/08/2008 13:56:24

If I am manly made of bacteria, then does taking antibiotics change ME?
Does the fact that I have killed off one type of bacteria in some way affect another bacteria that in some way needed this one bacteria to thrive or accomplish a task...If any of this makes sense, then an answer would be lovely.

Title: Have antibiotics altered me?
Post by: RD on 17/08/2008 14:43:11

Taking antibiotics can kill off beneficial bacteria, such as those which keep yeast (candida) in check.

Quote

Candida is present in the oral cavity of almost half of the population. Everyone who wears dentures will have candida, without necessarily suffering any ill effects.

Candida does not become a problem until there is a change in the chemistry of the oral cavity that favours candida over the other micro-organisms that are present.

These changes can occur as a side effect of taking antibiotics 

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/oralthrush.htm

Title: Have antibiotics altered me?
Post by: paul.fr on 18/08/2008 15:48:48

So even "bad" bacteria can be beneficial to "good" bacteria.