What type of infections are antibiotics meant to treat?

Antibiotics are specifically designed to target and eliminate bacteria, making them effective for treating bacterial infections. This class of medications works by either killing bacteria or inhibiting their growth and reproduction. They are not effective against viral infections, which require different treatment approaches such as antiviral medications. Similarly, fungal infections are treated with antifungal agents, and parasitic infections are addressed with antiparasitic drugs. Understanding the specificity of antibiotics is crucial for proper pharmacological treatment and for preventing the rise of antibiotic resistance, which can occur when these medications are misused or overused for non-bacterial infections. Thus, the emphasis on bacterial infections is essential for the appropriate application of antibiotic therapy in clinical settings.