As a general rule, those suffering from an infection should first present to the doctor and ask for an individually-adjusted treatment. If you are suffering from a viral infection and you take antibiotics, there is a high chance you could get sicker in a short period of time. Antibiotics should not be taken lightly and never without the careful supervision of a medical specialist; otherwise, you risk for the bacteria in your body to develop resistance to the antibiotic in question, spread in the body and reduce the chances of you being cured. The prescription label on each antibiotic presents all the recommendations you need and they must be followed precisely. Often times, the symptoms improve and you tend to stop the treatment. That causes the bacteria to become resistant and the efficacy of the treatment is reduced. Finish your antibiotic prescription completely, despite your symptoms improving.

There are two major types of antibiotics. The first class is known as general-spectrum antibiotics, being indicated when the bacteria has not been identified or the patient suffers from multiple bacterial infections. The second is represented by the narrow-spectrum antibiotics, effective only against certain types of bacteria. Antibiotics are often used in combination, in order to treat severe, life-threatening bacterial infections and also in situations where bacteria are suspected to have developed resistance to a single drug. The issue of resistance has been discussed over and over, doctors and scientists trying to understand why there are so many bacteria immune to existent treatment. It was discovered that the increased and unsuitable use is one of the main reasons. This is why, patients are advised not to take antibiotics at the first sign of illness and contact a doctor for blood testing.

How are antibiotics administered? In case of severe infection, the usual route of administration is through an injection. In the following period, when the patient’s general state is improving, the treatment will be switched to oral tablets. With mild to moderate infections, antibiotics are given orally from the start. The important thing to remember is that antibiotics should be taken until the microorganisms are eliminated from the body. The treatment period varies, depending on the severity of the infection, patient’s age and associated conditions. They are usually indicated to be taken for a week or more, the only exception being in the case of simple urinary tract infections. Those who stop the treatment just for feeling better, are likely to suffer from a more severe infection caused by the same bacteria or risk for the appearance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Depending on the type of antibiotics, you are recommended to take the medicine with or without food. Antibiotics, just like many other drugs, should never be mixed with alcohol and the doctor should always pay increased attention to possible drug interactions. This can lead to serious side-effects and wanted consequences. There are certain antibiotics which can cause the skin to become sensitive to direct sunlight and thus, the patients are required to take the necessary precaution measures. Antibiotics can also be used for prophylactic purposes, in patients who have been exposed to infecting microorganisms (meningitis) but also in those with decrease immunity (cancerous patients or those with AIDS). Common side-effects include nausea, indigestion but gastrointestinal bleeding and colitis are also likely to appear.

Aminoglycosides are antibiotics used for the treatment of infections caused by gram-negative bacteria, such as E.coli, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This class includes drugs like Gentamicin, Neomycin and Streptomycin, representing efficient antibiotics. Patients treated with these antibiotics can suffer from the following adverse reactions: dizziness, acute hear loss and kidney impairment. Cephalosporins are also commonly administered for the treatment of bacterial infections, including three generations of antibiotics. Cefazolin is part of the first generation, having a similar action mechanism with beta-lactam antibiotics and causing the following side-effects: nausea, upset stomach and allergic reactions. Both second and third generation cephalosporins have similar side-effects, being often indicated for the treatment of more severe infections.

Vancomycin is part of the antibiotic class known as glycopeptides, the medication being used for the treatment of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Penicillin remains an elective treatment for bacterial infections, caused by various microorganisms, including streptococcus but also for venereal disease, such as syphilis or Lyme disease (caused by a tick bite). It can produce severe allergic reactions, in susceptible patients.