Amoxicillin antibacterial

These include: Severe atopic dermatitis Poorly controlled diabetes Kidney failure, especially those on dialysis Blood disorders such as leukaemia and lymphoma Malnutrition Iron deficiency Alcoholism Intravenous drug users Presence of foreign body, eg prosthetic joint, pacemaker, indwelling catheter , haemodialysis, recent surgical procedure Medication with systemic steroids, retinoids , cytotoxics or immunosuppressives Immunoglobulin M deficiency Chronic granulomatous disease Chediak-Higashi syndrome Job and Wiskott Aldrich syndromes (associations of severe staphylococcal infection with eczema , raised immunoglobulin E and abnormal white cell function) Bacteriology of staphylococcal infection.

S aureus bacteria are classified as Gram-positive cocci based on their appearance under a microscope .

They may occur singly or grouped in pairs, short

chains

They are usually facultative anaerobes , that is, they are capable of surviving at various levels of oxygenation, and are generally very hardy organisms . They are only able to invade via broken skin or mucous membranes , hence intact skin is an excellent human defence. Once they have invaded they have various ways to avoid host defences.

They: Hide their antigens to avoid an immune response Kill infection-fighting cells ( phagocytes ) Survive within host infection-fighting cells. Develop resistance to antibiotics Release toxins (intoxication) – these do not require

the

Mastitis ( inflammation of the breast) and abscess of the breast; the bacteria may pass from a breast abscess into milk Staphylococcal hypersensitivity reactions such as folliculitis decalvans (a cause of scarring hair loss) Staphylococcal infection.

Skin disease due to toxins produced by the bacteria include: Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS), which usually affects children less than five years old or rarely, adults with kidney failure.

This is a relatively uncommon illness usually resulting from the release of Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin -1 (TSST-1) or enterotoxin B.

These toxins are also known as superantigens as they are capable of generating a massive inflammatory response. Previous exposure makes a patient immune to these toxins, ie they will not have a second attack.

Staphylococcal toxins can also cause food poisoning. The diagnosis of staphylococcal skin infection is often clinical. If there are difficulties in diagnosis, or first-line treatment fails, the diagnosis can be confirmed by a positive laboratory culture of a swab from the infected site or blood culture. In staphylococcal intoxication, there may be no viable bacteria to culture and the diagnosis may be made retrospectively on the basis of a blood test demonstrating an immune response (seroconversion) to toxins following a compatible illness. The treatment of staphylococcal infection includes: Appropriate antibiotics, including oral antibiotics cephalexin, clindamycin, amoxicillin/clavulanate Drainage of pus from infection site Surgical removal ( debridement ) of dead tissue ( necrosis ) Removal of foreign bodies (eg stitches) that may be a focus of persisting infection Treating the underlying skin disease (eg atopic eczema) Antibiotic resistance. Staphylococci are becoming increasingly resistant to many commonly used antibiotics including penicillins, macrolides such as erythromycin, tetracyclines and aminoglycosides .

Penicillin resistance in S aureus is due to production of an enzyme called beta-lactamase or penicillinase.

Methicillin (meticillin) and flucloxacillin are lactamase-resistant penicillins so are the antibiotics of choice in most staphylococcal skin infections.

Unfortunately, there is now increasing methicillin resistance (MRSA).

Penicillins with a beta-lactamase- inhibitor such as amoxicillin + clavulonic acid may be used to treat Staph. aureus infections and are sometimes effective against bacteria resistant to flucloxacillin. These antibiotics have a broad range of action against several bacteria and are best reserved for patients with mixed bacterial infections.

Patients who are allergic to penicillin are most reliably treated with vancomycin, although for minor infections macrolides such as erythromycin may be adequate. Macrolide resistance is also high among S aureus but macrolides may be taken by mouth whereas vancomycin requires intravenous administration. Due to widespread antibiotic resistance, it is better to prevent staphylococcal infection where possible.

The most effective way is to wash hands often, and before and after touching broken skin. It is also important to clear bacteria colonising the nostrils and under the fingernails with either antibiotic ointment (eg. fusidic acid or mupirocin) or petroleum jelly several times daily for one week of each month. 5 things you need to know about antibiotics this flu season. When Joseph developed a persistent cough, he booked a visit with his longtime family physician.

The doctor diagnosed bronchitis and recommended rest and plenty of fluids. “The flu is going around my office, and I have deadlines to meet.” The doctor hesitated. Then he saw how anxious Joseph was and agreed to call in a prescription.

Joseph and his doctor are unknowingly contributing to the rise of “superbugs,” or drug-resistant germs. Treating a cough with an occasional Tylenol or Advil won’t do any harm, even if the medication doesn’t relieve your symptoms. But antibiotics are different, as overuse and misuse can harm you ? and the people you love ? in the long term. Read on to learn which flu treatments are most effective, how to avoid unnecessary antibiotics, and ways you can help fight the rise of dangerous superbugs. The drugs won’t relieve your symptoms, reduce the length of your illness or boost your immunity to other germs. Sure, you may feel better after taking antibiotics, for a simple reason: You were already on the road to recovery.

We all tend to seek treatment when our symptoms are at their peak.

Over the next few days, as the virus runs its course, you start to feel better. But that would have happened even without medication. Sometimes, antibiotics can actually make you feel worse. “Antibiotics are generally quite safe, but they do carry some risk,” says Daniel Knecht, MD, MBA, VP of clinical strategy and policy for Aetna. “They may cause diarrhea, allergic reactions and various other side effects.” It’s something to keep in mind if you’re tempted to take unnecessary antibiotics “just in case.” How to treat flu symptoms. The best medicine for the flu depends on the timing. Besides

the

You probably know that the flu vaccine helps you avoid developing the flu. But the vaccine also reduces the strength of the virus if you do catch it.

(You might even mistake it for a mild cold.) The catch: You have to get your shot before you come down with the flu ? ideally at least a few weeks prior, so your body has time to build up defenses against the virus. Staying extra hydrated can make you feel more comfortable and speed your recovery. Treat yourself to a favorite beverage that will encourage you to keep drinking: juice, electrolyte water, chicken soup or herbal tea with honey and lemon.

For stomach upset, some people swear by ginger root; natural ginger ale or ginger tea are two good sources.

To relieve cough and nasal congestion, the fumes of a menthol ointment, like Vicks VapoRub, or eucalyptus oil (sniff from the bottle or add a few drops to hot water) can help you breathe easier. Inhaling steam is another way to soothe airways; use a humidifier or sit in the bathroom while you run a very hot shower. And you can break up mucus in your nose and throat by gargling with salt water or using a neti pot.

Recommended only for high-risk individuals, like seniors and people with chronic medical conditions. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about prescription flu treatment.

Tamiflu is an antiviral drug taken by mouth that prevents the virus from multiplying in your body.

It decreases your symptoms and the length of time you’re sick. You must take Tamiflu at the first sign of symptoms. Antibiotic resistance refers to the ability of some germs to survive the drugs we take to kill them. When you need antibiotics ? and when to avoid them. Viruses and bacteria are two types of germs that can cause infection and disease. Antibiotics kill bacteria, but have no effect on viruses.

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