Plus, you would need a full treatment regimen to effectively cure your infection, so don't use or give away leftover antibiotics. Antibiotics are specific for the kind of bacteria they kill. However, it is important not to use an antibiotic for an infection unless your doctor specifically prescribes it, even if it's in the same class as another drug you were previously prescribed. Their chemical structures may look comparable, and drugs within the same class may kill the same or related bacteria. An antibiotic class is a grouping of different drugs that have similar chemical and pharmacologic properties. Most antibiotics fall into their individual antibiotic classes. Top 10 List of Antibiotic Classes (Types of Antibiotics) Streptococcal Pharyngitis (Strep Throat).Top 10 List of Common Infections Treated with Antibiotics To better understand antibiotics, it’s best to break them down into common infections, common antibiotics, and the top antibiotic classes as listed in. It may not be the right drug for your illness. It's important not to share your antibiotic or take medicine that was prescribed for someone else, and don't save an antibiotic to use the next time you get sick. Using unnecessary antibiotics also puts you at risk for side effects and adds extra cost. This can also lower your options for effective treatments if an antibiotic is needed eventually due to a secondary infection. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria cannot be fully inhibited or killed by an antibiotic, even though the antibiotic may have worked effectively before the resistance occurred. Using antibiotics for viral infections can increase the risk for antibiotic resistance. These viral infections are “self-limiting”, meaning that your own immune system will usually kick in and fight the virus off. For example, most sore throats, cough and colds, flu, COVID or acute sinusitis are viral in origin (not bacterial) and do not need an antibiotic. When NOT To Use AntibioticsĪntibiotics are not the correct choice for all infections. Drug interactions can also be common with antibiotics. In infants and the elderly, in patients with kidney or liver disease, in pregnant or breastfeeding women, and in many other patient groups, antibiotic doses may need to be adjusted based upon the individual patient. However, as with most drugs, antibiotics can lead to side effects that may range from being a nuisance to serious or life-threatening. Health care providers are able to assess each patient individually to determine the correct antibiotic, dose and length of treatment. When antibiotics are used correctly, they are usually safe with few side effects. When To Use AntibioticsĪntibiotics are specific for the type of bacteria being treated and, in general, cannot be interchanged from one infection to another. Antibiotics do not work against any viral infection. coli., and either kill the bacteria (bactericidal) or keep it from reproducing and growing (bacteriostatic). Antibiotics specifically treat infections caused by bacteria, such as Staph., Strep., or E. There is no one type of antibiotic that cures every infection. Head lice: A topical anti-parasitic can alleviate the itching.
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