Bacteria are important for digestion of food. There are some that fight diseases and those that help make healthful food.
Some examples of good bacteria include:
1. Lactobacillus is used in making yogurt and cheese.
2. Escherichia coli are present in intestines and help in digestion of food, and production of vitamin K.
3. Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and Bacteroides fragilis live in the gut and help in digestion of carbohydrates and sugar transport and utilization.
Some bacteria cause illness. They invade and quickly multiply in the body to form colonies. When this happens in the respiratory tract, the following diseases may occur:
1. Pharyngitis -- Streptococcus pyogenes
2. Diphtheria -- Corynebacterium diphtheria
3. Pertussis -- Bordetella pertussis
4. Tuberculosis -- Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Gastrointestinal infections caused by bacteria include:
1. Peptic ulcers -- Helicobacter pylori
2. Enteric (typhoid) fever -- Salmonella typhi
3. Gastroenteritis -- Shigella, Salmonella, and Escherichia coli
Bacteria cause infections of the nervous system such as:
1. Meningitis -- Streptococcus pneumonia and Neisseria meningitidis
2. Tetanus -- Clostridium tetani
3. Botulism -- Clostridium botulinum
Urogenital infections caused by bacteria include:
1. Urinary tract infections -- Escherichia coli
2. Gonorrhea -- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
3. Chlamydia -- Chlamydia trachomatis
4. Syphilis -- Treponema pallidum
Bacteria also cause skin infections such as:
1. Leprosy -- Mycobacterium leprae
2. Abscess -- Staphylococcus aureus
Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of bacterial infection would depend on the condition, the organ affected, and the kind of bacteria causing the infection.
Investigations
The diagnosis of bacterial infections would depend on the symptomatic history of the patient. The tests that may be done include:
1. Physical examination
2. Blood tests
3. Urine tests
4. Urine culture
5. Gram stain to identify bacteria
6. Toxin assay to look for the toxins made by the bacteria
7. Culture or biopsy of the tissue infected
Treatment
The treatment will depend on the kind of infection. Antibiotics are usually prescribed to treat bacterial infections. These are medicines that kill the bacteria. They may be given in the oral or injectable form. Some antibiotics that may be prescribed for a bacterial infection may include:
1. Amoxicillin
2. Azithromycin
3. Doxycycline
4. Ofloxacin
5. Tetracycline
6. Gentamycin
7. Metronidazole
8. Clindamycin
Supportive therapy may be required for other symptoms, such as fever.
Complications and When Should You See a Doctor
The complications will depend on the kind of bacterial infection.
Antibiotics must be taken carefully and for the duration, they are prescribed for. Taking them too frequently, taking them without a prescription or not completing the full course of treatment may lead to a development of antibiotic resistance, where antibiotics fail to kill bacteria.
Antibiotic resistance makes treatment of bacterial infections difficult and may prolong the illness and severity.
References
Fernández-Frackelton M. Bacteria. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA:Elsevier; 2018:chap 121.
McAdam AJ, Milner DA, Sharpe AH. Infectious diseases. In: Kumar V, Abbas AK, Aster JC, eds. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 8.
Benefits of CEFINEC 250/500/1000 Injection
CEFINEC 250/500/1000 Injection contains two different medicines, Ceftriaxone and Sulbactum, that work together to kill the bacteria that cause infections. Ceftriaxone works by stopping the growth of bacteria. Sulbactam reduces resistance and enhances the activity of Ceftriaxone against bacteria.
CEFINEC 250/500/1000 Injection can be used to treat many different bacterial infections such as ear, sinus, throat, lung, urinary tract, skin and soft tissues. This medicine usually makes you feel better within a few days, but you should continue taking it as prescribed even when you feel better to make sure that all bacteria are killed and do not become resistant.
Side effects of CEFINEC 250/500/1000 Injection
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of CEFINEC 250/500/1000
- Diarrhea
- Increased liver enzymes
- Allergic reaction
- Rash
How to use CEFINEC 250/500/1000 Injection
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
How CEFINEC 250/500/1000 Injection works
CEFINEC 250/500/1000 Injection is a combination of two medicines: Ceftriaxone and Sulbactam. Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic. It works by preventing the formation of the bacterial protective covering which is essential for the survival of bacteria. Sulbactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor which reduces resistance and enhances the activity of Ceftriaxone against bacteria.
Safety advice
Consuming alcohol with CEFINEC 250/500/1000 Injection does not cause any harmful side effects.
Pregnancy
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
CEFINEC 250/500/1000 Injection is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies.
CEFINEC 250/500/1000 Injection should be used with caution during breastfeeding. Breastfeeding should be held until the treatment of the mother is completed and the drug is eliminated from her body.
CEFINEC 250/500/1000 Injection may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Kidney
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of CEFINEC 250/500/1000 Injection in patients with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor.
CEFINEC 250/500/1000 Injection should be used with caution in patients with severe liver disease. Dose adjustment of CEFINEC 250/500/1000 Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Dose adjustment of CEFINEC 250/500/1000 Injection is not recommended in patients with mild to moderate liver disease.
What if you forget to take CEFINEC 250/500/1000 Injection?
If you miss a dose of CEFINEC 250/500/1000 Injection, please consult your doctor.