Drugs - Painkillers vs Antibiotics - Relief vs Treatment

• What is a big part of medicine related to the use of drugs?

  Medications
• How much does the NHS spend annually on medications?


  Over seventeen billion pounds
• What are the two groups of medications mentioned?

  • Medications that relieve symptoms
  • Medications that treat the disease
• If you have a sore throat, which medications might you take to relieve symptoms?


  Aspirin or paracetamol
• What do painkillers do for a sore throat?


  They reduce pain and may ease headaches
• Do medications that relieve symptoms cure the underlying problem?


  No, they do not cure the underlying problem
• What type of medication can directly kill bacteria?

  Antibiotics
• Why do antibiotics not work on viruses?


  Because antibiotics are made specifically to interfere with bacteria
• What is a metaphor used to explain why antibiotics can't kill viruses?


  It's like trying to kill a tree with a flyswatter
• What makes it difficult for antibiotics to find and kill viruses?


  Viruses hide within our body cells
• What must doctors do before prescribing antibiotics for a bacterial infection?


  They might have to do a test to identify the type of bacteria
• What is antibiotic resistance?


  It's when bacteria become resistant to antibiotics
• How has the ability to treat symptoms and diseases impacted medicine?


  • Improved people's quality of life
  • Extended people's lives
  • Many people are treated with multiple drugs
• What is the main takeaway from the video regarding medications?


  They help treat symptoms and diseases, revolutionizing medicine