36. When someone is prescribing an antimicrobial drug, they are instructed to ta

Question

36. When someone is prescribing an antimicrobial drug, they are instructed to take the entire course, even if they begin to feel better before the course is finished. Explain the reason for this instruction. Also, microbes that inhabit the human body can generally be divided into two groups – members of the normal flora and pathogens. Describe a structural or functional characteristic that both types of microbes would likely have in common, and describe a structural or functional characteristic that pathogens would exhibit but members of the normal flora would not.

Explanation / Answer

The short term course of antibiotics effects -

So it is advisable to complete the antibiotic course as it will stop the infection from returning, as well as reduce the risk of the bacteria becoming resistant to the antibiotics.

The normal flora are the bacteria that live in or on our body without causing any diseases. Normal flora resides in skin, intestine, mouth, lungs, urethra etc where they inhibit the growth of pathogens. The microorganisms of normal flora acts antagonistically on the pathogens and thus inhibits the growth of pathogens, the disease causing micro-organisms. Normal flora activates immune system and thus induces the secretion of IgA, metabolite function -helps in absorption of Vit. K and thereby helps in food digestion.

Pathogens are the disease causing microbes, that enters the host body and leads to diseases. When immune system is compromised or weak, the micro-organisms of normal flora reproduce and results in disease

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