Bacteria are single-celled organisms, some of which are capable of producing infection in humans. Not all bacteria are pathogenic; some live in environments in which they have no contact with humans, while others share living space harmlessly with people. Still others are important to normal physiological function. Still, bacterial infections represent one of the most noticeable ways in which human and bacterial pathways cross.
This disease of the lungs causes shortness of breath, productive cough, wheezing and chest tightness. Diseases such as a cold or flu can easily turn into pneumonia in patients with COPD. When patients have exacerbations of thei...
Cephalosporins are a class of antibiotics that are widely used both to treat existing infections and prevent infections from occurring. They can be given both orally and through an intravenous line. They were initially discover...
The term, cellulitis refers to a diffuse and especially subcutaneous inflammation of the dermis, the sensitive vascular inner mesodermic layer of the skin. The species of staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria are the most c...
According to Bupa, one in three women will have at least one episode of cystitis before she is 24 years old. Cystitis is a potentially painful or uncomfortable condition, but it usually resolves itself within four to nine days....
One theory concerning the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is that the disease may be triggered by an infection, possibly mycoplasma, and that antibiotics can treat this disease. Minocycline, a member of the tetracycline class of ...
Salmonella causes a wide spectrum of disease including gastroenteritis, enteric fever and bacteremia. Antibiotics such as cefotaxime, ampicillin and chloramphenicol are used to treat invasive salmonella disease in which the i...
Wounds cause an opening in the skin that bacteria can use to penetrate into the deeper tissues of the body. Skin wounds can be due to trauma or from surgical incisions. Either way, physicians prescribe antibiotic wound treatmen...
According to the World Health Organization, one-third of the world's population has TB. In 2008, reports indicated 9.4 million new cases and 1.8 million TB-related deaths worldwide. Treatment of TB requires the use of antibioti...
Patients most often acquire MRSA during hospital treatment, but people can contract it in the community, according to the Mayo Clinic. When a doctor diagnoses MRSA, the treatment might include antibiotics still considered effec...
It is more prevalent in children and infants, and the symptoms include high fever, headache, vomiting, stiff neck and rash. Respiratory isolation of the patient along with early administration of antibiotics is key to managing ...
Abscesses can occur anywhere in the body and are caused by an infection. When the body attempts to fight off the infection, it "corners" the bacteria and foreign bodies in a central location, creating an abscess. Proper treatme...
Antibiotics take advantage of the fact that bacteria cells have certain key differences compared to healthy human cells. As a result there are many different kinds of antibiotics that attack bacteria in different ways. One such...
Antibiotics save lives every day. They fight off bacteria that can cause nasty infections, painful symptoms and even death. However, antibiotics are not without side effects, often causing digestive upset and even secondary inf...
Cephalosporins refer to a set of antibiotic medications used to destroy bacteria. According to Drugs.com, cephalosporins can be used to manage such treatments as sinusitis, bacterial endocarditis (infection of the heart's inner...
This type of medication can be used by both children and adults and is typically administered by mouth (capsule or tablet) or injection. Speak with your doctor if you have any concerns regarding side effects associated with cep...
While antibiotics can be an effective treatment, many other options exist for treating acne, including prescription and herbal medicines, topical and oral treatments and lifestyle modifications.
