Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Cells, Microbes & Viruses => Topic started by: Steve Moss on 28/10/2009 09:30:02
-
Steve Moss asked the Naked Scientists:
For what reason(s) must you always complete a course of antibiotics?
What do you think?
-
Main reason: To be sure all bacteria are dead.
If you bring bacteria in contact with Antibiotics, but not in sufficient quantities or for a long enough period, there's a chance that there will be selection of the bacteria with a resistance for the taken Antibiotic.
Then, this one bacteria that underwent this selection might multiply in your body and next time, the Antibiotic you've taken before will not work anymore.
-
Yes, as Nizzle says, it is to ensure that all of the bacteria are killed and that none survive to build up and pass on a tolerance to the antibiotic, which would render it useless.