Before knowing about the treatment of bacterial infection, it is important to know what bacterium is. Bacteria are single-celled micro-organisms that are present almost everywhere and can survive in any location and in every climatic condition. While some bacteria are found in water and soil, there are some which are airborne. Although a major portion of bacteria is actually beneficial for the human body, there are a few pathogenic bacteria that can make a person very sick.
Meaning of Bacterial Infection
When the strain of harmful bacteria grow and proliferate inside or on the body to make the person sick is called bacterial infection. The infection could affect both outside and inside parts of the body. Be it meningitis, pneumonia or food poisoning, a bacterial infection can cause severe illnesses in the human body.
How to Treat Bacterial Infections?
Infections that are caused by pathogenic bacteria are usually treated with the help of antibiotic drugs. Various types of antibiotic drugs are available in the market. However, not all antibiotic drugs are suitable for every kind of bacterial infections. Physicians consider various factors such as which part of the body is affected by the infection and what type of bacteria has caused the infection, etc. to prescribe the most suitable and effective antibiotic for your type of bacterial infection.
How Does Antibiotics Function in Your Body to Cure Bacterial Infection?
Antibiotics are considered the most effective medicines to curb bacterial infections in the human body. They may destroy the pathogenic bacteria or prevent them to reproduce further and leave the rest on the natural defense mechanism of the body that naturally eliminates those infection causing bacteria. You cannot avoid taking antibiotics at least one time in your life. They are used for treating from throat infections to painful ear infections in children and from skin infections to the burning sensation of the urinary tract in adults.
It should be remembered that antibiotics can work properly in your body to cure the bacterial infection only when you take the prescribed dose for the prescribed course of time. Even if the symptoms are all gone and you feel healthy before the end of the course of the antibiotic drug, it is recommended not to discontinue the dose. You should always complete the prescribed course of the medicine for best results.
To Use or Not to Use Antibiotics!
Only specific types of antibiotics are used for treating a specific type of bacterial infection. There is no general antibiotic drug which can treat all types of infections caused due to bacterial growth. Correct use of antibiotics can heal infections in your body with little side effects. However, intake of antibiotics may cause side effects that may lead to severe illnesses. Adults and children who have health conditions like kidney and liver problems, antibiotic doses are being adjusted according to their physical condition. You can never generalize the dosage of antibiotic medicines for different people.
Moreover, antibiotic drugs are not the best choice for every infection. Some infections may be caused due to viral infections such as cold, soreness of throat, cough, and sinusitis. These infections are caused mostly due to viral infections and may not require antibiotic treatment. You can take some rest and rely on your immunity of the body to let such types of infections to go away on their own. In fact, using of antibiotics at such times could increase the chances of side effects and your future response to antibiotic treatment as well.
Treatment of Bacterial Infections with Antibiotics
Some of the most common diseases that are being treated with the help of antibiotic drugs are listed below:
- Skin infections or infection of soft tissues
- Infection in the Respiratory tract
- Conjunctivitis or pink eye
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Bronchitis
- Acne
- Strep throat or streptococcal pharyngitis
- Infections in the urinary tract
- Diarrhea or food poisoning
- Ear infection
Top 10 Medicines to Treat Bacterial Infections
The most commonly used medicines that are used treating bacterial infections are listed below along with their generic names and also their popular brand names:
1. Moxatag (Brand Name) – Amoxicillin (Generic Name)
Moxatag tablets are composed of 775mg of Amoxicillin and are orally taken. Amoxicillin belongs to the penicillin group of antibiotics that helps your body to battle against bacterial infections. This medicine is commonly used to treat the following illnesses caused due to bacterial invasion in your body. Some of Moxatag uses are:
- Tonsillitis.
- Pneumonia.
- Bacterial infections in the nose, throat, ear, respiratory or urinary tract and skin.
- Gonorrhea.
However, it is to be remembered that this group of antibiotic medicines should be avoided by the people who have an allergy to penicillin antibiotics or any other pre-existing medical conditions such as:
- Any allergy to specific food or certain kinds of drugs
- Have health condition like asthma
- Or those who have mononucleosis
2. Adoxa/ Doryx/ Monodox (Brand Names) – Doxycycline (Generic Name)
Adoxa or Doryx or Monodox are composed of tetracycline antibiotic, Doxycycline which helps to treat infections caused by bacteria in the human body. These groups of antibiotic medicines are used to treat various types of bacterial infections:
- Skin problems such as acne, bumps, blemishes, etc.
- Sexually transmitted diseases like Gonorrhea and Chlamydia.
- Gum infections like periodontitis.
- Infections in the urinary tract, eyes, and intestine.
However, the use of doxycycline is not recommended to every patient with such health problems. You need to take some precautions before using this drug:
- People who have tetracycline allergy cannot use this group of medicine.
- Children below the age of 8 are not recommended to use this medication unless extreme emergency and under doctor’s supervision only.
- Pregnant women are not recommended to use this drug because it could harm the unborn baby.
3. Daxbia/Keflex (Brand Names) – Cephalexin (Generic Name)
Medicines like Daxbia or Keflex contain cephalexin or cephalosporin antibiotic. This antibiotic treats various kinds of bacterial infections. Some of the common Daxbia uses are:
- Treatment of upper part of the respiratory infection
- Cure of infection in the urinary tract
- Treatment of skin and ear infections
Precautions:
- Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any drug.
- You should not use this medicine if you have any intestinal or kidney problem.
4. Cipro XR/ Proquin XR (Brand Names) – Ciprofloxacin (Generic Name)
Cipro XR or Proquin XR contains fluoroquinolone antibiotic that prevents bacterial infection.
Cipro XR/ Proquin XR Uses:
- It treats exposure to Anthrax or a specific type of plague.
Precautions:
- This drug could have severe side effects such as nerve damage, behavioral changes, and tendon problems. Inform your doctor immediately if you face any unusual symptoms after having this drug.
5. Metrogyl (Brand Name) – Metronidazole (Generic Name)
Metrogyl 400 contains metronidazole which helps in preventing bacterial infections. This medicine treats various forms of bacterial infections.
- It treats infections in the skin, joints, stomach, liver, brain and respiratory tract.
- It also treats vaginal infections.
Precautions:
- This drug is not recommended to use if you are under Disulfiram medication.
- Remember, the medicine is not supposed to treat all kinds of vaginal infections. Infections caused due to yeast are not treated with metronidazole.
6. Zithromax/ Zmax (Brand Name) – Azithromycin (Generic Name)
Medicines like Zithromax or Zmax contain Azithromycin antibiotic that helps to treat bacterial infections in the human body. It is used for treating a varied range of infections such as:
- It treats skin infection, respiratory infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and ear infections.
Precautions:
- Use of Arithromycin is not recommended if jaundice or any liver problem is detected.
- This drug should be avoided if you have heart, kidney problem or lower potassium level in blood.
7. Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim Injection
This too is used in preventing unwanted bacterial growth in the body. However, you have to take certain precautions before using this drug:
- Inform your physician if you are allergic to any specific medication or food.
- Be cautious about this drug if you have anemia, kidney or liver problem, asthma, and thyroid.
8. Augmentin (Brand Name) – Amoxicillin and Clavulanate (Generic Name)
Augmentin consists of amoxicillin, which is a penicillin antibiotic, and clavulanate potassium, which helps to prevent a specific type of bacteria from making resistance against amoxicillin. Clavulanate potassium and amoxicillin, together, help in treating various bacterial infections in the body. They are used for treating:
- Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis, ear infection, infection of the skin and urinary tract.
Precautions:
- People with liver and kidney conditions should inform their physicians before taking this drug.
- Those who are allergic to penicillin should not use this drug.
9. Cleocin Phosphate (Brand Name) – Clindamycin (Generic Name)
Medicines containing clindamycin are used to prevent and treat various types of infections caused due to the action of pathogenic bacteria.
Precautions:
- Do not forget to inform your physician about your pre-existing liver or kidney problems, if any.
- Inform your doctor if you have any intestinal problems.
- Be cautious about using this med if have allergic problems.
10. Levaquin (Brand Name) – Levofloxacin (Generic Name)
This is a powerful antibiotic drug which is used to treat bacterial infections.
Precautions:
- Be careful about using this medicine if you have an allergy, low potassium and magnesium levels, and heart and nerve problems.
