What is phage therapy primarily used for?

Phage therapy is primarily used for treating bacterial infections by utilizing bacteriophages, which are viruses that specifically infect and replicate within bacteria. Unlike antibiotics, which can disturb the balance of healthy and harmful bacteria in the body, phage therapy targets only the pathogenic bacteria, making it a promising alternative for treating antibiotic-resistant infections. The process involves administering these bacteriophages to the patient, where they seek out and destroy the bacteria causing the infection, effectively reducing the bacterial load and helping the patient recover. This innovative approach is particularly important in an era where antibiotic resistance poses a significant challenge to public health.