infections
Overview of Antibiotics
Introduction
Antibiotics are drugs used to treat Bacterial Infections . They are not effective against viral infections and most other infections. Antibiotics either kill bacteria or stop them from reproducing, allowing the body's Doctors try to use antibiotics for specific bacterial infections, but they sometimes start antibiotics that can treat many different bacteria while waiting for results of Diagnosis of Infectious Disease . Taking the antibiotics as prescribed is important, and antibiotics should be taken in the dose, frequency, and number of days that are most effective to treat a specific infection. Bacteria can develop resistance to the effects of antibiotics, especially if they are not taken as directed. Antibiotics can have side effects, such as upset stomach, diarrhea, and, in women, vaginal yeast infections. Some people are allergic to certain antibiotics. Antibiotics are grouped into classes based on their chemical structure. However, antibiotics within each class often affect the body differently and may be effective against different bacteria. Classes of antibiotics include the following: Aminoglycosides None Carbapenems None Cephalosporins None Fluoroquinolones None Glycopeptides and Lipoglycopeptides (such as Macrolides (such as Monobactams ( Aztreonam ) Oxazolidinones: Linezolid and Tedizolid (such as Penicillins None Polypeptides None Rifamycins None Sulfonamides None Streptogramins (such as Quinupristin and Dalfopristin ) Tetracyclines None Carbapenems, cephalosporins, monobactams, and penicillins are subclasses of beta-lactam antibiotics, a class of antibiotic characterized by a chemical structure called a beta-lactam ring. Other antibiotics that do not fit into the classes listed above include Chloramphenicol , 