Antibiotics
Antibiotics are medications that treat bacterial infections by killing bacteria or inhibiting their growth, representing one of the most transformative medical advances of the 20th century.
Before this class of medicine existed, even minor bacterial infections could easily prove fatal; its widespread introduction dramatically extended average human life expectancy within just a few decades.
Fleming's Accidental Discovery
The first modern antibiotic, penicillin, was discovered accidentally by Alexander Fleming in 1928, though it took over a decade of further research to develop it into a practical medicine.
Transforming Medical Treatment
Antibiotics dramatically transformed medicine by making previously often-fatal bacterial infections readily treatable, significantly extending average human life expectancy over the 20th century.
The Growing Threat of Resistance
Overuse and misuse of antibiotics has contributed to the growing global problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a significant and increasing public health concern worldwide.
Ongoing Research for New Antibiotics
Scientists continue researching new antibiotic compounds to combat resistant bacterial strains, though the pace of new antibiotic discovery has significantly slowed in recent decades.
