Do you know that there are over 100 antibiotics available to treat the many bacterial infections? With this long list, you should not be treating yourself with antibiotics just because you think you do have infection. It is best to meet doctors when you experience symptoms associated with infections so that you can get the right treatment and be sure that the infection is caused by bacteria before using antibiotics. This is very true when a child is sick from infections. Symptoms that can be suspected as signs of infection are fatigues, fever, chills, sweats, changes in cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, swollen lymph nodes of the neck, armpits or groin, nausea and vomiting. Since signs of infection may resemble other medical conditions, it is best to seek medical advice and get the right diagnosis plus treatment.
Antibiotics are drugs that are used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms. Antibiotics do not work against viruses and fungal infection. Common antibiotics such as Augmentin 625 mg should only be used with prescriptions from a doctor. Augmentin contains two active ingredients, amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Combination of the two helps to eliminate many infections compared to usage of amoxicillin alone. This also makes Augmentin one of the broad-spectrum antibiotics. It belongs to the penicillin class of antibiotics. Augmentin kills bacteria by inhibiting the ability of the bacteria to form cell walls that cover bacteria from antibiotic action.
Augmentin is used to treat many different types of bacterial infections including pneumonia, sinus infections, skin infections, bone and joint infections, urinary tract infections, genital infections and many more infections. Although Augmentin is deemed to be one of the powerful antibiotics available, you should not be using this without prescription from doctors. It is important to use antibiotics as directed by doctors to avoid antibiotics resistance. Antibiotics resistance can be a big issue in the future and you may need other antibiotics which can be either difficult or expensive to take and treat the diseases. Furthermore, antibiotic resistance leads to more days in hospital and increased mortality. Receiving antibiotics through doctor prescription is a sign that your doctor has already evaluated your health conditions and made sure the use or need for the antibiotics is met.
The dose of Augmentin differs in children and other age groups. Doses for Augmentin for children under the age of 12 or weighing less than 40 kg, should follow specific dosage of calculating the dosage according to their body weight. It is recommended that children take Augmentin up to 80 mg per day. The dosage is divided into three doses which means taking Augmentin in an 8 hours interval per day. The course treatment varies according to the diseases and severity of the infections. Children over 12 years old or weight above 40 kg can use the medicine according to adult dose. However, it is worth noting that your doctor may use different doses and duration. Thus, it is important to follow the doctor’s instructions when taking this medicine. Should you feel worried or confused on ways of taking it, you should ask your healthcare provider for further information.
Medicine does provide a lot of benefits but it does not hide the fact that it also comes with possible side effects. Common side effects include upset stomach, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. If these side effects persist or become worse, do tell your doctor immediately and not immediately stop taking antibiotics unless you are told to do so by your doctor. If serious side effects such as allergic reaction, liver problems marked by yellowing skin or dark urine, spontaneous bleeding/bruising or extreme tiredness after taking Augmentin, do visit the emergency department promptly.
In essence, Augmentin is one of the best antibiotics available to treat many infections. You must only use antibiotics prescribed by doctors and never self-treat yourself even if you think you do have symptoms of infection. Always follow your doctor’s advice when taking antibiotics and never stop taking antibiotics before finishing the full treatment course. If you experience any unwanted effect from it, let your healthcare provider know so that they can provide treatment or alternatives to ease your symptoms.
Do you know that approximately 70% of infections in the world are actually diseases that can be prevented. Although there are many bacteria in the world, less than 1 percent of the different types of bacteria do cause sickness in humans. With this small number of infections and big chances that it is preventable, it is wise to take preventative measures. Just as the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. Below are what you can do to minimise risk of infections and catching diseases:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or using alcohol-based handrub, especially when preparing or eating food, after using the bathroom, after visiting or taking care of sick people, after doing dirty tasks such as gardening and after feeding or stroking your pet.
- Practise cough and sneeze etiquette by covering the mouth and nose with tissue when sneezing or cough. Dispose the tissue properly. Use the elbow instead if you cannot are unable to use tissue.
- Stay at home if you are sick unless you need to go to hospitals or clinics.
- Keep distance with sick people and avoid sharing the same utensils used by others.
- Make sure your home is well ventilated.
- Clean surfaces in your home regularly.
- Practise safe sex.
