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Prescription acne products are usually considered a safe method of acne control. Since you consult with your physician to get these prescription acne products, they should be the right choice for your skin and its problems, as the guesswork sometimes involved with over-the-counter products is eliminated. Physicians know your skin condition very well and they prescribe the combination of medications that will work in the most effective manner on your skin.

The common problem with over-the-counter products is that people don’t tend to know about the severity of their acne and the combination of medications that will work for them. They tend to go for the most popular ones and the branded ones, which usually have minimal effect, when used without proper knowledge. When it comes to prescription acne products, you don’t have to worry about all these things, as the physician would have made the diagnosis and prescription, rather than you simply guessing the correct product for your condition.

There are topical applications and oral antibiotics available as prescription products. Benzoyl Peroxide, Adapalene, Erythromycin, and Azelaic Acid are some of the most used medications.

Azelaic Acid kills the bacteria that cause acne and it renews the skin, thus preventing the buildup of cells and sebum underneath the skin layer. Adapalene cuts down the rate of accumulation of dead cells and effectively prevents the formation of acne. Benzoyl Peroxide fights against acne and produces drying and peeling effect when taken excessively. Erythromycin is a powerful antibiotic and it’s used very commonly in both prescription and over-the-counter medications.

These topical applications are found to be very effective on the right type of skin and they are available in various formulas including lotions, creams, and gel. Azelex, Differin, and Brevoxyl are some of the famous brand names with these medications.

Oral antibiotics are taken internally and they tend to control the bacteria from the inside out. They act effectively on the P. Acne bacteria, which cause acne. Vibramycin and Minocin are the most popular prescription oral antibiotics for acne control.

It is highly recommended to follow the physician’s advice while taking these medications. Most of these medications have a drying and peeling effect when the skin is exposed to sunlight. It may cause redness of the skin, irritation, peeling and other symptoms. It is important to use the proper sunscreen lotion before going out in the sun.

Levaquin is the brand name for one of the antibiotics in the family of drugs called fluoroquinolones. Fluoroquinolones, which also includes brand names such as Cipro, Maxaquin, Floxin, Noroxin, and Trovan, prevent the infectious bacteria from reproducing or repairing its DNA, which effectively destroys the colonies. A widely applicable drug, Levaquin is prescribed for infections of the skin, lungs and airways, ears, joints and bones, as well as resistant strains of bacteria that cause chronic urinary tract infections.

Levaquin can only be obtained through a prescription from a medical professional, and is generally prescribed in once-daily doses. It can be prescribed in either tablet form or in an oral solution, depending on the patient and other circumstance. It’s important to remember that antibiotics are used again bacterial infections, and because colds and flus are caused by viral infections, drugs like Levaquin and other antibiotics cannot treat or cure these kinds of illnesses. It is also important to remember that antibiotics work best when there is a consistent level of the drug in the body, so it is best to take the drug in regular intervals and to avoid missing a dose. If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as possible, but never as a double dose. Also the full prescription of antibiotics should always be taken even after the patient begins to feel better. Dosage levels will depend on the patient and are based on body weight. Because certain minerals can interfere with the absorption of the drug, it is suggested that the drug be taken within two hours of any supplements that contain calcium, iron, magnesium or zinc. There have also been instances of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs taken in combination with Levaquin increasing the risk of over excited CNS.

Pregnant or lactating women and children under the age of 18 should not take Levaquin because of the chance of bone and joint deformities in juveniles.

The most common side effects reported while taking Levaquin are nausea and vomiting, headache, diarrhea or constipation. Less common side effects have included sleeplessness, dizziness, rash, itching, and abdominal pain or gas. As with all antibiotic drugs, prolonged use may result in the development of an oral thrush. Though rare, allergic reactions are possible and symptoms include itching, rash, hives, swelling, trouble breathing, or severe dizziness. If you experience any of these signs contact your doctor immediately.

Individuals who spend tons of money on common acne products are frequently amazed to discover that they do not work as advertised. Of course, they remove the intermittent pimple, but they are unsuccessful at curing full-blown acne cases. The factor that individuals do not comprehend is that acne is a complex ailment. It is not only bacteria that produces acne, nor does oily skin. Over the counter medications take care of only one issue that causes acne, and that’s why they do not get a lot completed. Dermatologists, or skin care physicians, typically prescribe their patients a number of pills and creams for treating their acne. Not like store-bought products, these medications focus on every aspect concerned.

Oral antibiotics are an vital element of a prescription remedy. They aim for p. acnes bacteria, that triggers whiteheads and further acne lesions when supplied with plenty of sebum in a clogged pore. Nearly all antibiotics intended for acne are a segment of the tetracycline family, and involve Monocycline and Doxycyline. Patients are advised to use the oral antibiotics every day,  to hold acne bacteria under control. The creams that make up a division of the therapy enhance skin cell renewal so that the pores will no longer grow to be blocked.

There are a number of hazards to employing antibiotics for remedy pimples. To begin with, the acne may turn out to be immune to the prescription. This is generally not a drawback if you’re utilizing topical creams too. If you’re only using pills, that could be in problem. One risk factor is an upset stomach if you do not correctly follow your doctor’s instructions. A number of the pills must be taken with food, and a few hours prior to bed time. Staining of the teeth is also a side effect to take into account, but, it only usually happens after extended use.

In the end, it is your choice whether or not you wish to take antibiotics for your acne. In spite of a small number of potential side effects, they could be exceptionally successful. You’ll have to go see a dermatologist prior to taking any medicine for a correct evaluation. You are firmly discouraged from sidestepping this action as medicating yourself may produce troubles much worse than acne.

After the anthrax attacks of 2001, thousands of Americans took the antibiotic Cipro (ciprofloxacin) prophylactically in fear that they had been exposed to the deadly anthrax bacterium.

Unfortunately, while fewer than one in 5,000 had actually been exposed to the disease, about one in five users of the antibiotic suffered serious side effects, including hives, swelling of the throat, and difficulty breathing.

Even though many people think that antibiotics are harmless, these potent infection fighters actually can endanger your health and the health of your family if they are not used properly. Here are the top five myths about antibiotics and why not having the facts can cause you harm.

Myth number 1: It’s a good idea to stock up on antibiotics in case there is a shortage when you get sick.

The number one fear of survivals is an outbreak of bird flu. Although there undoubtedly would be uses for antibiotics during a bird flu epidemic, antibiotics would do nothing to treat that particular viral infection. Moreover, storing antibiotics past their expiration date causes unpredictable variations in their potency. An antibiotic like Cipro you have had sitting on a shelf at room temperature for 2 or 3 years may be less potent or so much more potent that it costs deadly drug interactions. Antibiotics that are used after their expiration date may even cause kidney or liver damage.

Myth number 2. Antibiotics will help you get over colds or flu.

The only microorganisms antibiotics kill are bacteria (and not every antibiotic is effective against every strain of bacteria). Colds and flu are caused by viruses that are unaffected by antibiotics. Doctors used to accede to patient requests and prescribe antibiotics anyway, but nowadays the problem of antibiotic resistance is so great most doctors will refuse to prescribe them when patients present viral symptoms.

Myth number 3. Antibiotic resistance is itself a myth.

Unfortunately, the ability of bacteria to gain resistance to antibiotics is very real. Especially when someone takes just part of their prescribed pills, a few bacteria will survive treatment. These virulent bacteria can then exchange their genetic material with weaker bacteria, creating a superstrain that no antibiotic can handle. That’s what has happened with MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, the devastating skin disease that can be spread in locker rooms, hot tubs, hospitals, and jails.

Myth number 4. It’s OK to take antibiotics even if you aren’t really sick.

Any time you take any drug you risk side effects. If you are taking an antibiotic prescribed for someone else that’s been on the shelf for an extended period of time, you are risking serious side effects. And if you try to use antibiotics when are not infected with disease-causing bacteria, you (1) kill the symbiotic bacteria that digest fiber and manufacture B vitamins and vitamin K in your colon and (2) potentially create a strain of bacteria that previously was benign.

Myth number 5. It’s OK to stop antibiotics as soon as you feel better.

If you stop taking antibiotics before you have finished your prescription, you may feel OK for the short term but risk a much more serious infection in the long term. If you take just enough antibiotic to kill 99 per cent of your infection, you will likely have a 99 per cent reduction in symptoms. The problem is, that last 1 per cent of bacteria will have survived the first few days of treatment, and can pass on its offspring so that they too can survive the first few days of treatment. Next time, you or someone you infect will not get relief as quickly from antibiotic therapy, and maybe not at all.

It is not easy for scientists to create newer, stronger antibiotics. Only by using antibiotics carefully and completely can we keep them effective against new infections in the future.

Too many antibiotic prescriptions are being given out to sinusitis sufferers. Maybe these doctors who do so have good reasons to turn to antibiotics for sinusitis. But do not make the simple assumption that antibiotics can automatically be the right solution for your sinusitis. There are too many factors to consider before deciding on what is going to cure your sinusitis.

• Antibiotics can only be right for sinusitis if your condition is caused by the infectious organisms that can be killed by antibiotics. These are:

1. Bacteria – the main target of antibiotics

2. Parasites

3. Fungi – although you need to be aware that there are certain types of fungi which will just be aggravated by antibiotics, causing your infection to become worse.

• Antibiotics can just do you wrong if your sinusitis condition is caused by:

1. Viruses

2. Allergens

3. Certain types of fungi (as already mentioned above)

• Do not base your decision to take antibiotics on how long you have been experiencing your sinusitis symptoms. Even if long term or chronic sinusitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection, look at the other factors involved in your condition before considering antibiotics. There are also cases when short term or acute sinusitis should be treated with antibiotics – when symptoms are too severe. So again, it does not matter how long your symptoms manifest. This is not a deciding factor for considering antibiotics for sinusitis.

• If you have taken antibiotics before, whether for earlier cases of a sinus infection or other types of bacterial infections, take note of these instances and discuss them with your doctor. Your present and future treatment options can depend on the results of your past antibiotic treatments. Here are a few things that will be affected:

o Duration of your treatment program

o Dosage – some work best with low dose, long term medications to treat sinusitis slowly but surely. Others are treated more efficiently when given a high dosage of antibiotics during the onset of the infection

o Type of antibiotic – previous use of antibiotics can determine which antibiotics work well with your system. Allergies to antibiotics may also be detected and thus acted upon accordingly.

• You have to be aware that antibiotics can affect your whole well being. If you are experiencing other health problems aside from sinusitis, make sure to inform your doctor about them. If you are pregnant, have other lung problems, or hearing defects, antibiotics may not be right for you. Antibiotics may have adverse effects on your other conditions, so you have to be as detailed as possible in relaying this information to your doctor.

• For very severe cases of sinusitis, surgery may be required to completely eliminate the infection. Antibiotics can play a part in the healing process by acting as a supplement in the treatment program. Antibiotics can assist in pre and post sinus surgery by repairing damaged tissues and keeping the sinus area infection-free.

After doing a self study on the different factors to be considered for taking sinusitis, you can now bring these to the attention of your doctor. A medical professional’s opinion is much more well-educated than just the result of your study, so do consider talking to your doctor before moving on with a treatment program that includes antibiotics for your sinusitis.

Bacterial Vaginosis is the most common infection of the vagina. It has been reported, that approximately 64% of all women will experience this frustrating condition at any given time mainly during childbearing age. If you are one of these women, it is likely that you are searching for a way to end your problem. You have two treatment options to consider:

• antibiotics
• natural cures for Bacterial Vaginosis

In this article I’m going to outline these two options so you are more able to make informed choices.

What are the success rates of eliminating the symptoms?

Both conventional and natural cures will rapidly eradicate your immediate symptoms associated with BV within 2 to 4 days.

What are the rates of recurrence?

Antibiotics work by attacking and destroying all the bacteria in the vagina indiscriminately. Although they do remove the symptoms successfully and rapidly, there is an incredibly high rate of recurrence as the root cause of the problem has not been addressed. The beneficial bacteria’s rate of re-growth is lower than the harmful bacteria’s. This is the reason why 70% women who take antibiotics for BV will have a repeated attack within weeks.

Natural cures for Bacterial Vaginosis on the other hand focus on restoring and re-balancing the bacteria to its normal levels. The rate of recurrence is extremely low due to the nature of these treatments.

Will repeated use have any consequences?

Besides the fact that antibiotics can make you feel nauseous or cause diarrhea, repeated use will weaken your body’s natural defense mechanisms and can cause the harmful bacteria to become more resistant to them. This can result in more frequent and stronger or chronic BV.

Natural cures for Bacterial Vaginosis ingredients are 100% natural and safe to use. They harness the power of nature and will strengthen your overall well being and your immune system. These methods will continue to work towards keeping the balance long term, thus avoiding the possibility of a relapse.

Costs of Treatment

A single visit to your doctor, which includes consultation, examination and a prescription of antibiotics, can cost in excess of $250 which is not a small fee by any standards.

On the other hand the guide and ingredients for Natural cures for Bacterial Vaginosis will only cost you a few dollars.

For years, there has been concern that antibiotics are overprescribed, and with good cause. Despite clear guidelines calling for prior testing, physicians prescribed antibiotics in 53 percent of sore throat cases in children, researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and Children’s Hospital Boston found in a recent study.

This represents significantly more prescriptions than warranted for actual rates — 15-36 percent — of strep throat among kids with sore throat. Furthermore, almost half of those prescriptions were given in the absence of a test. Details of this research appear in the November 9, 2005, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Group A streptococcal pharyngitis, or strep throat, is the most common cause of sore throat for which antibiotics are indicated. However, many leading health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics say that a common “strep” test should be performed prior to prescribing recommended antibiotics.

Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

“This study demonstrates that children with sore throat are frequently given unnecessary antibiotics,” says lead author Jeffrey A. Linder, MD, MPH, a BWH internist.

“This overprescribing of antibiotics could be easily remedied by following known guidelines, which include doing a simple, inexpensive strep test,” he adds.

“This is critical for not just children but all patients,” Dr. Linder notes, “as unnecessary prescription of antibiotics can lead to a variety of issues, including increased costs, the potential development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and adverse drug effects.”

Researchers analyzed data from children aged 3 to 17 years from 1995 to 2003 with sore throat who visited office-based physicians, hospital outpatient departments and emergency departments.

Among an estimated 7.3 million visits for sore throat over this time period, physicians prescribed antibiotics in 53 percent of the cases, the researchers found.

Just 15 to 36 percent of children with sore throat actually have the strep throat bacterium, according to estimates. But only 53 percent of those who were given the antibiotics had been tested first.

Testing Is Underused

Over the eight-year time period of the study, physicians prescribed antibiotics less frequently, the researchers found, which suggests an encouraging trend. In 1995, 66 percent of cases were given antibiotics, decreasing to 54 percent of cases in 2003.

Still, there was no decrease in the prescribing of non-recommended antibiotics, which made up 27 percent of antibiotic prescriptions, Dr. Linder points out. Recommended antibiotics for the treatment of strep throat are penicillin, amoxicillin, erythromycin and first-generation cephalosporins.

“Strep testing is underused, and physicians should be ordering this important diagnostic test before prescribing antibiotics to kids with sore throat,” emphasizes Dr. Linder.

“Instead of writing a prescription, physicians should order a test and make sure they are treating kids’ symptoms by offering a pain medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen,” he advises.

Copyright 2005 Daily News Central

Many years ago, I remember reading an article about the overuse of antibiotics and its dangers. One of the dangers was the mutation of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Alexander Flemming, the man who discovered penicillin, warned that the overuse of this miracle drug might lead to problems with resistant bacteria “super bugs”; therefore antibiotics should only be used in cases of life or death. It’s unfortunate that his warning was not taken seriously, for it’s no secret that antibiotics have been used and abused as a medicine of convenience. In addition, most people consume a small steady dose of antibiotics by eating commercially grown meats, poultry and farm raised fish. It’s time to pay the piper, for “super bugs” are now a very serious threat and have already taken the lives many people throughout our country.

We’ve been hearing about a form of staph infection called methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus, also known as MRCA. The symptoms of MRCA and other staph infections are very similar so it is important that a doctor diagnoses the condition; pimples, rashes, pus-filled boils, especially when warm, painful, red or swollen, can mean that you have a staph skin infection. Staph can also cause more serious infections such as severe skin infection, surgical wound infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia. The symptoms could include high fever, swelling, heat and pain around a wound, headache, fatigue, and others. These infections can be very serious and life threatening. It’s important to see a doctor is one suspects MRCA.

The good news is that if ones immune system is up to snuff, staph or any other bacteria usually will not pose a problem. The bad news is that the typical American life style, diet and overuse of antibiotics and prescription drugs don’t allow ones immune system to thrive. Each time one takes a course of antibiotics, they knock their immune system a notch or two. 70% of ones immune system is in their gut and antibiotics destroy all the good bacteria living there, so after a course of antibiotics, the first line of defense has been destroyed leaving one defenseless. That’s why it is not uncommon for one to contract a yeast/fungal infection after antibiotics. Most people have been taking antibiotics since they were a child so it’s understandable why there are so many people with compromised immune systems.

There are many ways to build ones immune system to reduce the chances in contracting MRCA or any other germ. Every human being would benefit by restoring the good bacteria in their gut by taking a probiotic supplement (acidophilus and bifidophilus). Vitamin C in the form of emergen C or a buffered variety is helpful. If one has irritable bowel and is on a diarrhea swing, this may not be a good choice. Colloidal or ionized silver is a natural antibiotic that is not staph resistant and can be taken throughout the winter as prevention at 1 teaspoon a day. A good “immune building” multiple can be taken at 2 a day for prevention. Garlic is another natural antibiotic that is not staph resistant because of its active ingredient, allicin. If you and others can stand the odor, eating a clove a day is the cheapest route. There are also garlic pills available. An old fashion remedy to treat a staph or any other skin infection or wound is to crush a clove of garlic and add 5-10 drops of tea tree oil. Place directly on problem area and cover with a large Band-Aid or gauze for as long as possible, for it may burn a little due to the garlic. Repeat the process each day until the area is healed. If one is not able to walk around smelling like garlic and tea tree oil, Miracle II gel is an odorless topical oxygenated formula that has a reputation of healing a variety of the most stubborn skin conditions. There are homeopathic remedies such as silicia, hepar sulphuris calcareum and calcarea sulphurica that help with severe skin conditions a helping boils suppurate (pop) and heal. The 30C potency will suffice.

Common sense hygiene is always important. Washing hands with soap and water is the most important. Carrying disinfecting wipes around comes in handy for wiping down the handle of shopping carts, payphones, etc. For more information on MRCA and some additional hygiene tips, go to www.cdc.gov and click on MRCA in schools.

Please feel free to read more of this article by visiting my link in the resource box below. I always enjoy getting emails pertaining to my articles or my site. Your feedback is important to me.

An antibiotic is an amalgamation of two words – ‘anti’ and ‘bacterial’. Thus, an antibiotic is an agent that destroys bacteria. The Encarta Web Dictionary defines an antibiotic as ‘a naturally produced substance that kills or inactivates bacteria, but has no effect against viruses’. Antibiotics prevent bacteria from multiplying inside the body. Antibiotics for sinus infection are very effective as a treatment.

The inbuild immunity of our body defends against the bacterial diseases. As soon as the symptoms of any illness occur, the antibodies destroy the bacteria. A healthy body is more capable of fending illness than a weak body. In the absence of a strong immune system, the body is incapable of fighting infections and needs an extra push that comes in the form of antibiotics.

Some of the common antibiotics include penicillin, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and macrolides. The bacteria in the human body feed on the nutrients, that enable them to grow, and then split. The bacteria generate more cell wall with growth. Pencillin prohibits the bacteria from building cell walls, thereby, leading to the bursting of bacteria. Amoxicillin is a common antibiotic for sinus infections.

In a similar way, cephalosporins also destroy the cell wall production by the bacteria. These are effective antibiotics for sinus infection, particulary for people who are allergic to penicillin. Macrolides do not directly kill the bacteria but contain their growth by prohibiting them from multiplying. This speeds up the work of the body’s immune system. Among the class of macrolides, common antibiotics for sinus infection are erythromycin and clarithromycin.

The latest entry in the world of antibiotics is fluoroquinolones which affect the DNA replication process of the bacteria. Among this class, the most effective antibiotic is maxifloxacin.

The choice of antibiotic depends on a variety of factors including the ability of body to absorb the drug, the body’s resistance to the drug, the nature of infection and cost of the drug, to say a few. The antibiotics prescribed vary from person to person in terms of their effectiveness.

Thus, the antibiotics for sinus infection need to be consumed only after a prescription by the doctor, after a detailed analysis of the severity of illness, allergic reactions and side-effects.

The odds that you’ve had one of those nasty winter or spring colds are pretty high. These are the colds that seem to drag on forever gradually turning into an upper respiratory infection. We feel awful, lack energy and usually as a last resort find ourselves in room filled with other people coughing and spluttering, waiting to see the doctor. Unfortunately, the doctor’s usual response will be to put you on a course of antibiotics.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not against the proper use of antibiotics. They have the potential to be lifesavers when used properly, but they are not a cure-all. Antibiotics are usually used to treat infections caused by bacteria, such as tuberculosis, salmonella, and some forms of meningitis. However, they do not work against other organisms such as viruses or certain fungi. It’s important to bear this in mind if you think you have some sort of infection, because viruses usually cause many common illnesses, particularly of the upper respiratory tract such as the common cold and sore throats.

A virus is a microscopic organism that lives as a parasite in plants, animals, and bacteria and consists of a nucleic acid core within a protein sheath. Most people who have a head cold, runny nose, cough, muscle ache, sore throat and even a fever have a virus. Viruses usually cause illness for 7-14 days and the symptoms can be treated with non-prescription drugs like herbal decongestants, cold formulas and cough syrups. Antibiotics do not work against viruses, only against bacteria.

Bacteria are single-celled, often parasitic microorganisms without a distinct nuclei or organized cell structure. There are good and bad bacteria. Many types of bacteria do not cause illness and live harmlessly on, and in, the human body. The bad bacteria cause serious illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis, dysentery and blood poisoning.
These illnesses can be life threatening and can best be treated with antibiotics. If these bacteria become resistant, then it becomes very difficult, even impossible to treat them. Overuse of antibiotics can lead to bacteria becoming resistant to them so it’s important to only take them when absolutely necessary.

HOW DO ANTIBIOTICS WORK?

The very first antibiotic, penicillin along with a family of related antibiotics (such as ampicillin, amoxicllin and benzylpenicillin) is still widely used to treat many common infections. Our healthy, strong immune systems, with their antibodies and special white blood cells, can usually kill harmful bacteria before they multiply enough to cause symptoms. And even when symptoms do occur, the body can often fight off the infection. Sometimes if the immune system is not strong it becomes overwhelmed by a bacterial infection and needs help to get rid of it. This is where antibiotics come in. Some antibiotics, such as the penicillin’s, are ‘bactericidal’, meaning that they work by killing bacteria. They do this by interfering with the formation of the cell walls or cell contents of the bacteria. Other antibiotics are ‘bacteriostatic’, meaning that they work by stopping bacteria multiplying.

Unfortunately, the antibiotics do not differentiate between our good bacteria, especially in the gut, and destroy them all! This damage to the destruction of the “gut flora” can have very serious consequences. These beneficial bacteria perform crucial tasks, from boosting our immune system, aiding digestion, warding off allergies to assisting in the elimination of harmful toxins. These friendly bacteria include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidus and Bulgaricus, supplements for which can be found in any health food store’s refrigerated section. They protect us against pathogens such as Salmonella, yeast, cholera, and the bad E. coli. Once gone, these friendly bacteria are replaced by hostile bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Clostridium, and Klebsiella, and by Candida yeast, a powerful member of the fungi family.

SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTIBIOTICS

The most common side effects with antibiotic drugs are diarrhea, feeling sick and being sick. Fungal infections of the mouth, digestive tract and vagina can also occur with antibiotics because they destroy the protective ‘good’ bacteria in the body (which help prevent overgrowth of any one organism), as well as the ‘bad’ ones, responsible for the infection being treated.

Rare, but more serious side effects, include the formation of kidney stones, abnormal blood clotting, increased sensitivity to the sun, blood disorders, and deafness.

Sometimes, particularly in older people, antibiotic treatment can cause a type of colitis (inflamed bowel) leading to severe diarrhea. Penicillin’s, cephalosporin’s and erythromycin can all cause this problem but it is most common with clindamycin, an antibiotic usually reserved for serious infections. If you develop diarrhea while taking an antibiotic, immediately contact your doctor.

Some people are allergic to antibiotics, particularly penicillin, and can develop side effects such as a rash, swelling of the face and tongue, and difficulty breathing. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic; sometimes the reaction can be serious or even fatal. This is called an anaphylactic reaction. You should use an antibiotic with care if you have reduced liver or kidney function. It goes without saying if you are pregnant or breastfeeding tell your doctor before taking any prescription drugs including antibiotics.

HOW TO USE AN ANTIBIOTIC IF YOU HAVE TO TAKE THEM

Antibiotics are usually taken orally but also given by injection or applied to the affected part of the body. The drugs begin to tackle most infections within a few hours. It is vital to take the whole course of treatment to prevent recurrence of the infection. Sometimes bacteria become ‘resistant’ to an antibiotic you have been taking, meaning the drug will no longer work. Resistance tends to occur when the bacterial infection responsible for the symptoms is not completely cured, even if the symptoms have cleared up. Some of the residual bacteria, having been exposed to, but not killed by, the antibiotic are more likely to grow into an infection that can survive that particular antibiotic. This explains why finishing the course of antibiotics, even if you feel better, is important.

Certain antibiotics should not be taken with certain foods and drinks. Some antibiotics are best taken when there is no food in your stomach, usually an hour before meals or two hours after – make sure you follow the instructions on the dispensing label. Do not drink alcohol if you are taking metronidazole. Do not take tetracyclines with dairy products, as these can reduce the absorption of this type of antibiotic.

There are a number of important interactions between antibiotics and other medicines so it’s important to tell which your doctor or pharmacist about any other medicines you are taking.

RESTORING BENEFICIAL BACTERIA

If for some reason you have had to go on a course of antibiotics, try to boost your natural immune system and follow this recovery plan:

- Stay away from sugar or artificial sweeteners. Use Stevia or Lo-Han instead.

- No mushrooms or cheese. No yeasty foods, like bread, rolls or beer.

- Eliminate fruits and fruit juices (except for tart apples).

- Cut down on grains. After two weeks introduce gluten-free whole grains like Auinoa, corn or millet.

- Don’t drink coffee, tea, herb tea or coffee substitutes as they often harbor molds.

- Avoid supermarket salad dressings, vinegar, soy or Worcestershire sauce and horseradish.

- Drink anti-fungal teas like paud’arco, angelica root, bergamot, hyssop, chamomile and alfalfa.

- Eat unsweetened, plain yogurt or kefir that contain lactobacillus acidophilus, bifidus and bulgaricus.

- Use olive oil to cook with as a dressing on salads and vegetables.

- Drink organic, green vegetable juices.

- Use raw almond butter.

- Cook with garlic. It contains allicin, a natural anti-fungal chemical.

- Take grape seed extract in water last thing at night.

- Take an antioxidant supplement that includes vitamins E, A, and C (among others) zinc and selenium

For this dietary plan to be affective it should be continued for at least 4 to 6 weeks, however before beginning any dietary program always check with you doctor first. When coming off the plan you can try eating foods you have cut out, one at a time to see how they make you feel. If you get gas or bloating stop taking the food for another few weeks. Following this plan for the recommended amount of time will help boost your immune system and help you to stay healthy.