Antibiotics are medicines that are used to fight bacterial infections. They work by killing bacteria or preventing them from growing and multiplying.
There are several classes or groups of antibiotics, they include:
- Tetracyclines- used to treat rosacea and acne
- Penicillins- can be used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections including throat and ear infections
- Cephalosporins- May be used to treat illnesses such as meningitis and pneumonia, and can be used to treat people who are allergic to penicillin
- Aminoglycosides- which are often used in hospitals to treat serious infections
Healthcare providers may prescribe antibiotics to treat various medical problems and conditions such as strep throat, pink eye, E. coli, bacterial pneumonia or urinary tract infections. They can be taken orally, topically, or intravenously through injection.
Antibiotics can only treat bacterial infections; therefore, they should not be used to treat viral infections or illnesses that are caused by viruses such as:
- Most coughs
- Influenza (the flu)
- Stomach flu
- Sinus infections caused by a virus
Antibiotics should only be taken when needed because overusing them to treat mild infections or illnesses that can go away on their own can lead to antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria no longer respond to antibiotics. You can become susceptible to serious infections if resistance develops and antibiotics are ineffective.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.