Antibiotics - GCSE History Definition

Antibiotics are medicines used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Discovered in the early 20th century, they revolutionised medical treatment by enabling doctors to cure bacterial diseases that were previously often fatal, such as tuberculosis and pneumonia. The discovery of the first antibiotic - penicillin - by Alexander Fleming in 1928, is a key historical event in the development of antibiotics. Antibiotics work by either killing bacteria or inhibiting their growth, but their overuse has led to antibiotic resistance, making some infections harder to treat. Understanding the impact of antibiotics on public health and medicine is crucial for appreciating advancements in medical science and changes in public health policies throughout GCSE History.