Medications that treat bacterial infections, discovered in the early 20th century, are known as which class?

• A. Vaccination
• B. Antibiotics
• C. Penicillin
• D. Antivirals

Answer: (B)

Antibiotics are medications that treat bacterial infections by either killing bacteria or inhibiting their growth, which helps the immune system clear the infection. The concept sprang from the early 20th century breakthrough with penicillin, discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928, and has since grown into many different drugs that target bacteria in various ways. These drugs are not effective against viruses.

Vaccination is preventive, aiming to prime immunity before infection occurs rather than treat an active infection. Penicillin is a specific example of an antibiotic, not the entire class. Antivirals are used to treat viral infections, not bacterial ones.