Are antibiotics anti-inflammatory drugs?

Antibiotics are substances that are produced by fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms in the course of life that have anti-pathogen or other activities. Since antibiotics were discovered and used by humans, they have made great contributions to human medical care and treated a large number of intractable diseases. Therefore, they have been regarded as panacea by many people. For example, penicillin, which was widely used during World War II, saved the lives of countless Allied soldiers. But now, with the passage of time, due to the improper use of antibiotics, more and more problems appear in the use of antibiotics. Common misunderstandings are as follows.

 In daily life, many people think that they are suffering from a cold, fever, cough, or trauma. The first thing they think of is antibiotics, which confuses inflammation with infection, and confuses anti-inflammatory drugs with antibiotics. Inflammation refers to a defensive response of human tissues or organs to harmful stimuli or damage. This inflammatory response mechanism of the body can promote the repair of tissue damage, but too intense inflammation can cause tissue necrosis and cause dysfunction. The cause of inflammation is physical, such as knife stabbing, scald or frostbite, or chemical, such as acid-base damage; allergic inflammation caused by allergens, such as pollen, food or drugs Allergies; it can also be inflammation caused by biological infections such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Obviously, the infections and inflammatory reactions caused by bacteria or viruses that we usually encounter are different, and the treatment methods are also different.

The treatment of inflammation requires the use of anti-inflammatory drugs to suppress excessive inflammation, reduce symptoms such as redness, swelling, heat and pain caused by inflammation, and prevent adverse reactions such as dysfunction. Commonly used are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, indomethacin, etc., or glucocorticoids such as cortisone, prednisone, etc. You can also use physical therapy such as hot compress, cold compress or infrared, ultrashort wave, etc. to reduce inflammation.

The treatment of infection needs to choose different anti-infective drugs according to different pathogens. If it is a viral infection, use antiviral drugs, such as ribavirin or various antiviral oral liquids; if it is a bacterial infection, use antibiotics. Such as penicillin, cephalosporins, etc.

It is worth noting that if it is a common bacterial infection, it is best not to use anti-inflammatory drugs, such as dexamethasone, so as not to cover up the condition.