What is an antibiotic?
A: Antibiotics, also known as antimicrobial drugs, are drugs that fight infections caused by bacteria in both humans and animals. Antibiotics fight these infections either by killing the bacteria or making it difficult for the bacteria to grow and multiply. Antibiotics do not have any effect on viruses.
The term "antibiotic" originally referred to a natural compound that kills bacteria, such as certain types of mold or chemicals produced by living organisms. Technically, the term "antimicrobial" refers to both natural and synthetic (man-made) compounds; however, many people use the word "antibiotic" to refer to both