Page 3 - 2. Lesson Notes- Infectious Disease
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Virus – They have a protein capsule with a
genetic core hence need a host to live in.
Antibiotics
• These are the chemicals (medicine, drugs) that block biochemical pathways
important for bacteria. They are used for diseases caused by bacteria. For
example, penicillin, flucloxacillin, amoxicillin, Cephalosporins, cefadroxil,
Tetracyclines, sulfonamides etc.
• Antibiotics do not work against viral infections as the viruses do not have their own
biochemical mechanisms but depend upon that of the host. Despite this limitation,
there are now effective anti-viral drugs, for example, the drugs that keep HIV
infection under control.
:
Penicillin and its functioning
• Penicillin was first ever “true” antibiotic and it was discovered by a Scottish
bacteriologist, Alexander Fleming.
