Answer:
Option B, to treat bacterial infections
Explanation:
Antibiotics, also call anti-infectives, are a class of medication with subclasses that demonstrate varying mechanisms of action all for the purpose of treating bacterial infections. In general, they can be divided into two major categories: bacteriostatic and bactericidal. They can also be divided into broad-spectrum and narrow-spectrum.
Bacteriostatic antibiotics stop the reproduction of the bacteria causing infection, thereby mitigating further growth and maturation of the infectious agent. Opposite these are the bactericidal antibiotics that treat the infection by killing the bacteria that caused it to occur.
Broad-spectrum antibiotics treat a wide range of bacteria that cause infections, which is why they are typically prescribed first; while laboratory tests are performed and cultures are grown, this type can begin to treat the infection. Narrow-spectrum antibiotics treat specific bacteria and bacterial strains, thus providing more pointed treatments when necessary.
Some subclasses of antibiotics include penicillins, cephalosporins, tetracyclines, and fluoroquinolones.
To summarize, antibiotics treat bacterial infections, option B.
