Once in the body, the bacteria attack body cells by producing toxins that cause infection, infection that may present with fever. Depending on the part of the body affected, there will be different signs of infection.

The presence of bacteria in the body triggers an immune response from the white blood cells, in an attempt to get rid of the bacteria from the body. When the immune response is overwhelmed by the bacterial infection, the symptoms of the infection become more evident. At this point, it is important to seek medical help.

Your doctor will most probably prescribe an antibiotic. Antibiotics are synthetic medicines designed to fight bacteria. There are several types of antibiotics just as there are various kinds of bacteria. Antibiotics work mainly in two ways, by either killing the bacteria, or paralysing it, which essentially stops the bacteria from multiplying. This makes the work of the white blood cells easier.

WHEN USING ANTIBIOTICS, BEAR THESE IN MIND

 They are prescription-only medications: Antibiotics should only be taken if prescribed by a doctor. This is because antibiotics are specific to a type of infection.

 Allergic reactions: Some people are allergic to certain antibiotics like penicillin, therefore it is important to inform your doctor of any known allergies.

 Side effects: They have side effects, so it is advisable to enquire about the common ones and how to deal with them should they occur.

 Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?: Some antibiotics should be avoided when pregnant or breastfeeding, since they could harm your child. Let your doctor know if expectant or breastfeeding before consultation begins.

 Antibiotics should be taken as prescribed to be effective, therefore strictly stick to the dose and duration of treatment even if the symptoms disappear.

 Their efficacy might also be affected by the presence or absence of food in the stomach. It is therefore necessary to find out whether the ones prescribed should be taken before, or after meals.

Bacteria, like many other germs, may change their structure over time. These changes make them less susceptible to the antibiotics initially designed to suppress them, leading to antibiotic resistance. To prevent this resistance, avoid self-medicating.

Buying antibiotics over the counter, for actual or perceived bacterial infection, is a leading cause of resistance development.

Worth noting is that without the guidance of a qualified person, one could take antibiotics that are ineffective against the infection they have.

The effects of antibiotic resistance here are still not well documented, because surveillance is limited.

Effective control of the rapidly spreading antibiotic resistance needs to involve everyone, including the relevant ministries, which need to put in place proper policy to guide dispensing, and to some extent, use of antibiotics.

It is also important for pharmacies to stop selling antibiotics without a proper prescription, and medical professionals will have to ensure that these medicines are used appropriately, in and out of hospital.