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Think Viral, Not Antimicrobial

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Their noses are red


And their throats hurt too


90% of all colds are viral


Don’t prescribe antimicrobials boo!

Author's Notes/Comments: 

Please don't take antibiotics/antimicrobials if you have a viral infection. They will not ease your symptoms, kill beneficial bacteria, and increase the chance of antimicrobial resistance, which is now directly and indirectly responsible for killing more people per year than cancers! 

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©24 June 2024 - 7:02am — cynosure
24 June 2024 - 1:09pm — cynosure
cynosure's picture

Antimicrobial Vs Antibiotic

I apologise; I just realised I made a very silly error that I am incredibly embarrassed about. Allow me to clarify.

 
 

TL;DR: In short, "antimicrobial" means to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa), whereas "antibiotic" specifically refers to substances derived from microorganisms that kill or inhibit other microorganisms.

 

 

For a slightly deeper understanding:
 

  • Antimicrobial: A substance that acts against any microbial organism, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
  • Antibacterial: A substance that specifically acts against bacteria.
  • Antibiotic: A substance derived from a microorganism that kills or inhibits the growth of another microorganism. This term typically excludes synthetic (e.g., quinolones and sulphonamides) or semisynthetic (e.g., methicillin) drugs, as well as those derived from plants.

Alliswend bin ich nicht, doch vie list mir bewußt.