GCSE Biology - Drugs - Painkillers vs Antibiotics - Relief vs Treatment #44

The video discusses the role of medications in healthcare, highlighting the NHS's significant spending on them. It explains the difference between drugs that relieve symptoms and those that treat diseases, using sore throat as an example. Antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections but not viruses, due to their specific action on bacteria and the hidden nature of viruses in cells. The video also touches on the issue of antibiotic resistance, emphasizing the need for careful prescription. Overall, medications have revolutionized medicine by improving quality of life and extending lifespans.

What are the two main categories of medications mentioned in the video?

• Medications for pain relief and medications for mental health

• Medications for symptom relief and medications for disease treatment

• Medications for adults and medications for children

• Medications for chronic conditions and medications for acute conditions

Why might antibiotics not be effective for treating a sore throat?

• Because sore throats are always caused by bacteria

• Because antibiotics are designed to target viruses

• Because most sore throats are caused by viruses, not bacteria

• Because antibiotics can only be used for headaches

What is one reason antibiotics cannot target viruses?

• Viruses are too large for antibiotics to affect

• Antibiotics are specifically designed to target bacteria, not viruses

• Viruses are immune to all forms of medication

• Antibiotics are only effective in liquid form

What must doctors sometimes do before prescribing an antibiotic?

• Ensure the patient has a fever

• Perform a test to identify the type of bacteria

• Check the patient's blood pressure

• Confirm the patient is not allergic to aspirin

What is antibiotic resistance?

• When antibiotics become more potent over time

• When bacteria become immune to antibiotics

• When viruses start responding to antibiotics

• When antibiotics are used to treat viral infections