Question

A doctor prescribes an antibiotic to a patient and advises continuing the full course even after the symptoms improve.
(a) Identify the type of pathogen that can be destroyed using antibiotics.
(b) Why is stopping the course too early considered a “major concern”?

Hint:

Always complete the full course of antibiotics to prevent the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Answer 1

Step 1: Identify the target of antibiotics.
Antibiotics are medicines that specifically act against bacterial infections. They either kill bacteria or inhibit their growth by targeting bacterial cell structures or metabolic pathways.
Step 2: Answer part (a).
The type of pathogen that can be destroyed using antibiotics is bacteria. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses or other non-bacterial pathogens.
Step 3: Understanding incomplete treatment.
When a patient starts taking antibiotics, the weaker bacteria are killed first, leading to improvement in symptoms. However, some stronger bacteria may still survive in the body.
Step 4: Explain the major concern.
If the antibiotic course is stopped too early, the remaining bacteria can multiply again. These surviving bacteria may develop resistance to the antibiotic, making future infections harder to treat.
Step 5: Conclusion.
Therefore, completing the full course of antibiotics is essential to completely eliminate the infection and prevent antibiotic resistance.