Patient Education

Heart Health Library

Our Health Library does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their heart health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.

Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are medicines used to kill bacteria that cause infections.

A doctor will choose an antibiotic to treat an illness based on:

Whether taking an antibiotic will reduce the length or severity of the illness.
Whether the person is allergic to any antibiotics.
How likely it is that a certain antibiotic will kill the bacteria believed to be causing the symptoms.
The symptoms and the severity of the illness.
Other medical problems that the person has.
The person's age. (For example, some antibiotics are not safe for children.)
Whether a woman is pregnant.