Penicillin allergies occur when the immune system overreacts and responds to the drug as if it were a harmful substance. The symptoms range from mild conditions such as rash and itchy skin to severe, life threatening anaphylactic reactions...
Penicillin effectively treats conditions caused by a bacterial infection. Although penicillin isn't effective against conditions caused by viruses such as colds, the flu or even chicken pox, this antibiotic has been used to treat strep throat, ear...
A penicillin allergy occurs when the body's immune system overreacts to penicillin. The reaction can range from a simple rash to swelling, weakness and difficulty breathing. The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America estimates that nearly 400...
An allergy is a reaction of the body's immune system to a foreign substance, also called an allergen. The immune system produces substances that recognize and attempt to destroy the allergen, but in doing so release a substance that produces the...
The National Institute of Biotechnology Information considers Streptococcus agalactiae to be the leading cause of brain and blood infections in newborns. Neonates and infants acquire these infections while passing through the birth canal or when...
Preseptal cellulitis, also known as periorbital cellulitis, is an infection of the tissues surrounding the eye and is commonly found in children under six years of age. The infection may occur due to an injury in the area around the eye, or it may...
A sinus infection, or sinusitis, makes it difficult to breathe through your nose. The sinuses are air-filled cavities in the skull surrounding the nose, cheeks and eyes. Normally, the nasal passages are open, allowing air to circulate and mucus to...
Streptococcus pyogenes is one of the most common human pathogens. Todar's Online Textbook of Bacteriology notes that about 5 to 10 percent of healthy individuals harbor this bacteria in their respiratory tract without any symptoms. However,...
Sinus infections are caused when the air-filled spaces in the skull cannot rid themselves of mucus buildup. During pregnancy there is an increase in the vasculature of the sinuses, creating more mucus. A stuffy nose is a common complaint during...
Lactobacilli are rod-shaped bacteria that are part of the intestinal and vaginal normal flora, and are usually considered beneficial because they produce vitamin K, the enzyme lactase that helps to digest dairy products, and anti-microbial...
Cefuroxime, also known as Ceftin, is a member of the cephalosporin class of antibiotics. Ceftin is prescribed for mild or moderate bacterial infections, and it can also be used to treat gonorrhea and early stage Lyme disease. However, if you are...
Alpha hemolytic streptococcus, or alpha strep, is a spherical bacteria that can cause breakdown of blood cells on growth-medium plates that contain blood-based gels to promote the growth of bacteria. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common...
A drug allergy develops when the immune system reacts to a medication as a foreign substance. Immune cells produce proteins called antibodies to "protect" the body from future exposures to the drug. If the drug is taken again, the preformed...
Allergies due to antibiotics differ from adverse reactions, such as stomach pain and diarrhea. An allergic reaction occurs because the immune system becomes over-sensitized and recognizes the antibiotic as foreign. Antibiotic allergies include...
A French medical student, Ernest Duchesne, first noticed Penicillin in 1896. Duchesne found that a bunch of blue mold growing on a lab experiment killed off some bacterial colonies growing next to the mold. But it wasn't until bacteriologist Sir...
UTI, or urinary tract infection, is a common bacterial infection that can be easily treated with antibiotics. The choice of antibiotic depends on the bacteria that are causing the infection, the severity of symptoms, the possibility of...
Ear infections--otitis media--commonly occur because of bacterial inflammation in the middle ear, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center, UMMC. The infection may result from fluid trapped in the Eustachian tube of the ear, which runs...
The tonsils are small circular organs present in the back of the mouth and top of the throat. They prevent the microorganisms from entering the body. Inflammation of tonsils is known as tonsillitis. The National Guideline Clearinghouse recommends...
Urinary tract infections occur anywhere along the urinary tract, which includes the bladder, kidneys, ureters and urethra, according to MedlinePlus. A bladder infection, or cystitis, can often emerge due to bubble baths, feminine hygiene sprays,...
There are many allergies from which people suffer. They all have essentially the same root, however, which is your body's immune system reacting to some form of substance it detects as dangerous. To fight this, it produces substances, including...
Augmentin is the brand name for the combination of medications amoxicillin and calvulanate potassium. Augmentin is a penicillin antibiotic used to kill bacteria and stops their growth. This medication is only available with a health care provider...
Ear infections are very common, especially in children. They generally come in one of two forms. The first is an outer canal skin infection, called otitis externa. That infection is typically caused by common bacteria that live on the skin,...
About 2,500 cases of meningococcal infections are reported each year in the U.S; this infection carries a 10 percent fatality rate. The coffee bean-shaped bacteria, called Neisseria meningitidis (meningococci), which is responsible for the...
Staphylococcus aureus is part of the normal flora of the skin and the nose of many healthy people. It's usually responsible for minor skin infections. But occasionally, certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus may invade the lungs, bones,...
Skin develops blisters and peels when it is exposed to a number of different substances and conditions, ranging from extreme heat to chemicals or allergens. Blisters form as a result of underlying medical conditions or trauma. Once the cause of...
Staphylococcus aureus, or staph, is a bacteria that can cause a multitude of diseases in humans. Infections can affect the skin, lungs, heart, bones and blood. Antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment against staph infections; oral antibiotics...
Sinusitis is a condition in which the cavities surrounding the nasal passages become swollen and inflamed. The inflammation interferes with proper drainage of the sinuses and results in the build-up of mucus. Bacterial infections are a common...
Staphylococcus aureus is a type of bacteria commonly known as staph. Staph is responsible for a variety of types of infections that range from minor to severe. Staph can cause skin infections such as impetigo, boils and cellulitis, but it can also...
Ear infections are very common, especially in children. They generally come in one of two forms. The first is an outer canal skin infection, called otitis externa. This infection is typically caused by common bacteria that live on the skin,...
Anaphylaxis is a reaction to an allergen or foreign body, usually food, bug bites or stings or a medication. Anaphylaxis can cause a rash, trouble breathing, wheezing and nausea. Learn more about the symptoms and treatments for anaphylaxis in...