When Should IV Antibiotics Be Switched to Oral? Topic Guide

Antibiotics are prescribed to individuals to cure disease by killing bacteria. There are over 100 antibiotics. The main classes of antibiotics include penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, flouroquinolones, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, and aminoglycosides. Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem due to the overprescription of antibiotics to individuals. Allergic reactions to antibiotics commonly have the following symptoms shortness of breath, rash, hives, itching, swelling of the lips, face, or tongue, and fainting.

Meningitis is an infection of the layers around the spinal cord called meninges. This potentially life-threatening condition can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungus, or reactions to medications or environmental toxins.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the spinal cord or brain. Bacterial meningitis is caused by bacterial and viral meningitis is caused by a virus. Meningitis symptoms in children include vomiting, rash, stiff neck, fever, seizure, nausea, increased sensitivity to light, and altered mental status. Treatment may incorporate a breathing tube, a heart and breathing monitor, IV fluids, catheterization, and administering acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Sepsis, also referred to as blood poisoning, is an infection that has spread through the bloodstream. Learn about symptoms, risk factors, causes, treatment, survival rate, and prevention.

Prophylactic antibiotics are antibiotics given before surgery to prevent infections. Surgical procedures of the head and neck are used to treat cancerous and non-cancerous tumors. Head and neck surgeries, particularly ones involving mouth or throat incisions, tend to have a higher risk of infections compared with other types of surgery.