From tossing pills to pharmacy school, by Falmata Ma’aji Muhammad
Have you ever had a pounding headache and fever for a few days and thought, “I’ll just grab some antibiotics”? Or maybe a sore throat made you reach for amoxicillin as if it were candy. Not so fast.
What Antibiotics Really Do
Antibiotics fight bacteria by killing them or stopping their growth. But not all infections are bacterial:
• Viruses cause colds and flu → need antivirals.
• Fungi cause ringworm and yeast infections → need antifungals.
• Parasites cause malaria → need antiparasitic drugs.
Taking antibiotics for viral infections does nothing except give bacteria a chance to adapt.
The misuse and overuse of antibiotics allows bacteria to evolve. They become resistant, meaning the drug no longer works. Resistant bacteria spread quickly in hospitals and communities, turning simple infections into serious threats.
Why It Matters
Without effective antibiotics, everyday infections become harder to treat. Surgeries, cancer therapies, and childbirth all depend on them. Resistance puts modern medicine at risk.
My Personal Story
When I was a teenager, after suffering from what I now realise were allergic reactions, I was prescribed about eight medications to take in a single day. The problem? I hated swallowing pills. I’d take one tablet at a time, flushing it down with lots of water, and by the end, I felt like throwing up. Sometimes, I even sneaked away and tossed out the ones that seemed too weird to swallow.
Now, as a pharmacy student diving deep into the mechanisms of action of drugs, I finally understand why medications have strict schedules—why they must be taken at certain times and in certain doses. With antibiotics, skipping doses or stopping early doesn’t just affect you. It helps bacteria survive and resist. That teenage habit of tossing pills could have contributed to resistance if those were antibiotics.
How You Can Be a Hero
• Take antibiotics only when prescribed.
• Complete the full course.
• Don’t pressure doctors for unnecessary prescriptions.
• Practice hygiene and vaccination to prevent infections.
Antibiotics save lives when used correctly. Misuse turns them into a threat. Smart choices today protect our health.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp:
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
