Mikrobilääkkeillä

Mikrobilääkkeillä, known in English as antimicrobials, are a class of medications used to treat or prevent infections caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. These drugs work by either killing the microorganisms directly (microbicidal effect) or by inhibiting their growth and reproduction (microbistatic effect), allowing the body's immune system to clear the infection. The effectiveness of a specific antimicrobial depends on the type of microorganism causing the infection and its susceptibility to the drug.

The discovery and development of antimicrobials revolutionized medicine, transforming previously untreatable and often fatal infectious diseases into manageable conditions. Penicillin, discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928, was the first widely used antibiotic. Since then, numerous classes of antimicrobials have been developed, including cephalosporins, tetracyclines, macrolides, and antivirals. However, the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials have led to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a significant global health threat. AMR occurs when microorganisms evolve to become resistant to the drugs designed to kill them, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death. Prudent use of antimicrobials, including completing prescribed courses, using them only when necessary, and developing new drugs, is crucial to combat AMR.