Michigan Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What type of infection is typically treated with antibiotics?

1. Viral infection

2. Bacterial infection

3. Fungal infection

4. Parasitic infection

The correct answer is: Bacterial infection

Bacterial infections are typically treated with antibiotics because these medications are specifically designed to target and kill bacteria or inhibit their growth. Antibiotics work by disrupting various essential functions in bacteria, such as cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis, or nucleic acid synthesis, which are not present in human cells. This selective toxicity allows antibiotics to effectively address bacterial infections without harming the host. Viral infections, on the other hand, cannot be treated with antibiotics as viruses have a different structure and reproduction mechanism. Fungal infections require antifungal medications because they differ significantly in biology and physiology from bacteria. Parasitic infections are treated with antiparasitic medications, which are formulated to target the specific life cycles and structures of parasites. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in the practice of esthetics, where ensuring client health and safety is paramount.