Antibiotics are medicines used to fight bacterial infections. There are different types of antibiotics. Each type is only effective against certain bacteria. An antibiotic sensitivity test can help find out which antibiotic will be most effective in treating your infection. The test can also be helpful in finding a treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections. Antibiotic resistance happens when standard antibiotics become less effective or ineffective against certain bacteria.
Antibiotic resistance can turn once easily treatable diseases into serious, even life-threatening illnesses. Other names: antibiotic susceptibility test, sensitivity testing, antimicrobial susceptibility test. An antibiotic sensitivity test is used to help find the best treatment for a bacterial infection. It may also be used to find out which treatment will work best on certain fungal infections.
You may need this test if you have an infection that has been shown to have antibiotic resistance or is otherwise hard to treat.
You may also need this test if you have a bacterial or fungal infection that is not responding to standard treatments. The test is done by taking a sample from the infected site. The most common types of tests are listed below.
There is very little risk to having a blood culture test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly. Incorrect use of antibiotics has played a big role in the rise in antibiotic resistance. Make sure you use antibiotics the right way by:.
Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Some antibiotics aren't suitable for people with certain medical conditions, or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. You should only ever take antibiotics prescribed for you — never "borrow" them from a friend or family member.
Some antibiotics can also react unpredictably with other medications, such as the oral contraceptive pill and alcohol. It's important to read the information leaflet that comes with your medication carefully and discuss any concerns with your pharmacist or GP. Read more about how antibiotics interact with other medicines. There are hundreds of different types of antibiotics, but most of them can be broadly classified into six groups.
These are outlined below. Both the NHS and health organisations across the world are trying to reduce the use of antibiotics, especially for conditions that aren't serious. The overuse of antibiotics in recent years means they're becoming less effective and has led to the emergence of "superbugs". These are strains of bacteria that have developed resistance to many different types of antibiotics, including:. These types of infections can be serious and challenging to treat, and are becoming an increasing cause of disability and death across the world.
The biggest worry is that new strains of bacteria may emerge that can't be effectively treated by any existing antibiotics. Antibiotics are used to treat or prevent some types of bacterial infections. They aren't effective against viral infections, such as the common cold or flu. For example, antibiotics are no longer routinely used to treat chest infections, ear infections in children and sore throats. Read more about antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotics may also be recommended for people who are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of infection. This may include:. Antibiotics are sometimes given as a precaution to prevent, rather than treat, an infection.
This is known as antibiotic prophylaxis. Antibiotic prophylaxis is normally recommended if you're having surgery on a certain part of the body which carries a high risk of infection or where infection could lead to devastating effects.
Antibiotic prophylaxis may be recommended for a wound that has a high chance of becoming infected — this could be an animal or human bite , for example, or a wound that has come into contact with soil or faeces.
There are several medical conditions that make people particularly vulnerable to infection, making antibiotic prophylaxis necessary. For example, the spleen plays an important role in filtering out harmful bacteria from the blood. People who have had their spleen removed, people having chemotherapy for cancer, or those with the blood disorder sickle cell anaemia , where their spleen doesn't work properly, should take antibiotics to prevent infection. In some cases, antibiotic prophylaxis is prescribed for people who experience a recurring infection that's causing distress or an increased risk of complications, such as:.
Don't take one of the penicillin-based antibiotics if you've had an allergic reaction to them in the past. People who are allergic to one type of penicillin will be allergic to all of them. People with a history of allergies, such as asthma , eczema or hay fever , are at higher risk of developing a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to penicillins, although cases are rare.
Tell your healthcare professional if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, so they can prescribe the most suitable antibiotic for you. If you previously had an allergic reaction to penicillin, there's a chance that you may also be allergic to cephalosporins.
Cephalosporins may not be suitable if you have kidney disease, but if you need one you will probably be given a lower than usual dose. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, or have acute porphyria, check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist before taking cephalosporins.
Aminoglycosides are normally only used in hospital to treat life-threatening conditions such as septicaemia, as they can cause kidney damage in people with pre-existing kidney disease. The use of tetracyclines isn't usually recommended unless absolutely necessary in the following groups:. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, the only type of macrolide you can take is erythromycin Erymax, Erythrocin, Erythroped or Erythroped A unless a different antibiotic is recommended by your doctor.
Erythromycin can be used at the usual doses throughout your pregnancy and while you're breastfeeding. The most common side effects of antibiotics affect the digestive system. These occur in around 1 in 10 people. If you experience any additional side effects other than those listed above, you should contact your GP or the doctor in charge of your care for advice.
Around 1 in 15 people have an allergic reaction to antibiotics, especially penicillin and cephalosporins. In most cases, the allergic reaction is mild to moderate and can take the form of:. These mild to moderate allergic reactions can usually be successfully treated by taking antihistamines. But if you're concerned, or your symptoms don't respond to treatment, you should call your GP for advice.
In rare cases, an antibiotic can cause a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening if prompt treatment isn't given. Dial immediately and ask for an ambulance if you think you or someone around you is experiencing anaphylaxis. Tetracyclines can make your skin sensitive to sunlight and artificial sources of light, such as sun lamps and sunbeds. Antibiotics can sometimes interact with other medicines or substances.
This means it can have an effect that is different to what you expected. If you want to check that your medicines are safe to take with your antibiotics, ask your GP or local pharmacist.
Some antibiotics need to be taken with food, while others need to be taken on an empty stomach. Your health care provider will let you know which symptoms to watch out for. A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
Depending on the type of medicine you are taking, you may need to schedule your test for before or after you take your regular dose. There is very little risk to having a blood test.
You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly. Your results will show if medicine levels in your blood are in a range that is medically helpful but not dangerous. This is called the therapeutic range. The range varies depending on the type of medicine and your own health needs. If your results are not in this range, your provider may need to adjust your dosages.
If your dosages are changed, you may get repeated tests until your medicine levels fall into the therapeutic range. Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.
0コメント