Antibiotic
antibiotic
an·ti·bi·ot·ic [ an-ti-bahy-ot-ik, -bee-, an-tee-, -tahy- ]
Etymology:
Greek anti = against + bios = life
Definitions related to antibiotics:
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A substance that kills microorganisms such as bacteria or mold, or stops them from growing and causing disease.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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A substance that kills or slows the growth of bacteria.Harvard Dictionary of Health TermsHarvard Medical Publishing, 2011
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Substances naturally produced by microorganisms or their derivatives that selectively target microorganisms not humans. Antibiotics kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms by targeting components of the microbial cell absent from human cells, including bacterial cell walls, cell membrane, and 30S or 50S ribosomal subunits. These substances are used in the treatment of bacterial and other microbial infections.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Substances that kill or inhibit the growth or other functions of microorganisms. These substances are used in the treatment of bacterial and other microbial infections, though this term is most often used to describe antibacterial agents.NICHD Pediatric TerminologyU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Substances produced by microorganisms that can inhibit or suppress the growth of other microorganisms.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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Antibiotics are medicines that fight bacterial infections in people and animals. They work by killing the bacteria or by making it hard for the bacteria to grow and multiply. Antibiotics can be taken in different ways: Orally (by mouth). This could be pills, capsules, or liquids.; Topically. This might be a cream, spray, or ointment that you put on your skin. It could also be eye or ear drops.; Through an injection or intravenously (I.V). This is usually for more serious infections. Antibiotics only treat certain bacterial infections, such as strep throat, urinary tract infections, and E. coli. You may not need to take antibiotics for some bacterial infections. For example, you might not need them for many sinus infections or some ear infections. Taking antibiotics when they're not needed won't help you, and they can have side effects. Your health care provider can decide the best treatment for you when you're sick. Don't pressure your provider to prescribe an antibiotic for you.MedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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Antibiotics are drugs used to treat bacterial infections. They are ineffective against viral infections and most other infections. Antibiotics either kill microorganisms or stop them from reproducing, allowing the body's natural defenses to eliminate them.Merck & Co., Inc., 2020
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Antibiotic, chemical substance produced by a living organism, generally a microorganism, that is detrimental to other microorganisms. Antibiotics commonly are produced by soil microorganisms and probably represent a means by which organisms in a complex environment, such as soil, control the growth...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
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