Do you know that there are many bacterial infections that could happen in the world we are living in? Ironically, only 1% of the bacteria that exist on the earth cause diseases in humans. The countless number of bacterial infections could cause many symptoms in humans that may resemble other medical conditions. Common symptoms of infection such as fever is not enough to determine the cause of the infection. Furthermore, infection can be caused by many organisms apart from bacteria. The fact that there are more than 100 antibiotics available to treat this condition should make you be careful the next time you plan to treat yourself. This is why it is important to get medical advice whenever you suspect yourself with infections. You can get the right diagnosis and the treatment needed. Common antibiotics such as Augmentin 625 mg should only be used with prescriptions from a doctor.
You probably have heard antibiotics should only be used when it is given by doctors. You should never get your own antibiotics to treat yourself just because you think you have infections without meeting a doctor first. You may have heard that Augmentin is a strong antibiotic, is it though? Yes, Augmentin can be considered as a strong antibiotic. Reasons lie in the ingredients itself. Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid are the active ingredients in the Augmentin. Combination of these two ingredients makes Augmentin one of the broad-spectrum antibiotics. This medication belongs to a class of antibiotics known as penicillin. Augmentin kills the bacteria by inhibiting the ability of the bacteria to form cell walls that protect the bacteria from the action of antibiotics.
The combined ingredients alone make Augmentin a strong antibiotic. Beside this, the ingredient of clavulanic acid is known as the beta-lactamase. This ingredient works to block enzymes that lead to antibiotic resistance. Amoxicillin on its own does kill many bacteria but it could be less effective to certain bacteria. Hence, combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid can help eradicate more bacterial infections compared to usage of amoxicillin alone. This also explains why Augmentin is known as a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
Augmentin is used to treat many kinds of bacterial infections. In fact, it is commonly used in emergency departments and primary care such as clinics. This could be because it could treat many conditions caused by bacteria such as pneumonia, skin infections, bone and joint infections, genital infections, urinary tract infections and countless other infections. Since it is one of the strong antibiotics, it is important to only use it when prescribed by a doctor. This is important to avoid antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance can be a huge issue in the latter life of a patient. Antibiotic resistance leads to patients needing stronger antibiotics in future which often is expensive and difficult to get. This translates to if the person with antibiotic resistance would like to use common and affordable antibiotics to treat bacterial infections, that antibiotics will not work anymore. Furthermore, antibiotic resistance often leads a person to stay as an inpatient in hospital longer than any other person and can increase mortality. Using antibiotics only prescribed by a doctor can ensure you that you are receiving the right antibiotic with the right dose and for the right reason.
There is no such thing as medicine not having potential side effects. However, it is worth noting that your doctor will only prescribe medicine that brings more benefits compared to its side effects. Common side effects reported by patients include nausea, vomiting, upset stomach and diarrhoea. Should these side effects become severe or not go away, you should tell your doctor about this. Still, do not stop taking antibiotics unless you are told by your doctor or after you have addressed the side effects to them. If serious such effects such as allergic reaction characterised by sudden skin rash or breathing difficulty, liver problems manifest as yellow tinge on the skin or the white of the eye and dark urine, spontaneous bleeding which is often portrayed as bruising or nosebleed or extra tiredness after taking Augmentin, please visit the emergency department promptly.
In essence, Augmentin is indeed a strong antibiotic. Some people may think that the best way to treat a lot of bacterial infections is by using strong antibiotics such as this medication. As an analogy, using strong antibiotics is like using a machine gun to quickly kill all enemies in a battlefield but truthfully may actually accidentally kill public citizens around. This also may be the reason why people tend to self treat themselves as they think is the best way to do and the effective way. However, you should never think antibiotics easily work this way. In fact, if you do think this way, you do risk yourself for antibiotic resistance which without a doubt is going to cost you great misery in the future. Antibiotics should only be used when you are given by a doctor. You should not use more than one antibiotic at a time unless you are advised by your doctor. Remember to use antibiotics as prescribed according to the dose recommended by your doctor and to take it at the same time of the day to ensure an effective antibiotic course. Finish the antibiotics course treatment within the timeline as addressed by your doctor even if you are feeling well.
Also read – Dengue Prevention.
