Phage therapy is experiencing a new wave of popularity. With the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, science is once again turning its attention to bacteriophages —natural viruses that selectively destroy bacteria. Although they have been known since the early 20th century, many still view them as semi-mythical or experimental. Numerous misconceptions surround the topic, hindering the widespread adoption of phage therapy in clinical practice.

What's truth and what's fiction? Let's figure out which myths about phages need to be left in the past.

Myth 1: Phages are something new and untested

Félix d'Hérelle discovered bacteriophages, and within a few years they were being used to treat infections. In the Soviet Union, particularly in Ukraine and Georgia, phage-based treatments were used for decades in hospitals, childcare facilities, and even the military.

So, calling phages a "novelty" is a historical mistake. Their effectiveness is confirmed by clinical data and thousands of successful cases.

Myth 2: Phages are viruses, so they are dangerous.

This is a common misunderstanding. Yes, phages are viruses, but not for humans, but for bacteria . They cannot infect people and do not cause disease. Their mission is to destroy pathogenic microorganisms, acting with amazing precision.

Unlike antibiotics, which affect all microflora, phages act on children and newborns .

Myth 3: Phage therapy is only for extreme cases

This opinion arose because phages are often used when antibiotics are no longer effective. But this doesn't mean they can't be used earlier. On the contrary, bacteriophages are ideal for the early treatment of localized infections—such as purulent wounds, cystitis, sinusitis, and intestinal disorders.

In countries where phage therapy is integrated into the healthcare system (e.g. first-line therapy or prophylactic method.

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On the contrary. They are available in pharmacies without a prescription . They are used for skin infections, genitourinary infections, intestinal infections, and other ailments.

Ukrainian scientists have possessed unique experience in the development and production of phages since Soviet times. Today, the Institute of Microbiology and Virology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and private laboratories are actively creating and testing new phage strains . Our scientific potential is quite comparable to that of France or Poland.

Myth 5: Bacteria quickly become accustomed to phages

Partially true: bacteria can indeed adapt. But unlike antibiotics, phages can also evolve . In nature, they change along with bacteria, maintaining biological balance.

In medicine, phage cocktails —mixtures of several phages, each targeting a different strain—are used to prevent resistance. This makes therapy flexible and adaptable: the composition can be updated if necessary.

Phage Therapy Against Myths: How It Really Works

To understand how bacteriophages work, imagine a key that only fits one lock. The lock is the surface of the bacterium. Once inside, the phage begins to replicate and destroys the pathogen from the inside, without harming healthy cells.

Phages are non-toxic, do not suppress the immune system, and do not cause superinfections. They can be administered orally, topically, rectally, by inhalation, or by injection. They are compatible with other treatments and even enhance their effectiveness.

They are especially valuable for personalized medicine .

Instead of a conclusion: science versus myths

Bacteriophages are not a magic bullet or a replacement for antibiotics. They are a precise tool for fighting bacterial infections, especially when it's important to preserve the microflora and avoid toxic effects.

Today, phage therapy is returning to clinical practice as a modern and scientifically proven technology , and dispelling myths is the first step towards its widespread acceptance.

So if you hear the word "bacteriophage," don't be surprised: perhaps this microscopic ally will one day save your health.