Antibiotics are medications that kill bacteria. Bacteria are
organisms that cause infections.
A health professional will choose an antibiotic to treat an illness
based on:
Whether taking an antibiotic will reduce the
length or severity of the illness.
The person's age. (For example,
some antibiotics are not safe for children.)
The
symptoms.
Other medical problems that the person may
have.
The severity of the illness.
How likely it is
that a certain antibiotic will kill the bacteria believed to be causing the
symptoms.
Whether the person is allergic to any
antibiotics.
Whether a woman is pregnant.
Author
Bets Davis, MFA
Editor
Maria Essig
Associate Editor
Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Last Updated
November 17, 2008
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
November 17, 2008
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
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information.