infectious disease

Cefdinir vs. Amoxicillin

What’s the Difference Between Cefdinir and Amoxicillin? Cefdinir and amoxicillin are antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections. The drugs are in different classes. Cefdinir is a cephalosporin antibiotic and amoxicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic. Cefdinir is only available as a generic. The Omnicef brand has been discontinued and there are no other brand names available …

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Cephalexin vs. Amoxicillin

What’s the Difference Between Cephalexin and Amoxicillin? Cephalexin and amoxicillin are antibiotics used for treating a variety of bacterial infections. The drugs belong to different classes. Cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibiotic and amoxicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic. Brand names for cephalexin include Keflex and Daxbia. Brand names for amoxicillin include Amoxil, Moxatag, and Larotid. Side effects of cephalexin and amoxicillin …

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Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole & trimethoprim) vs. Cipro (ciprofloxacin)

What’s the Difference Between Bactrim and Cipro? Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) and Cipro (ciprofloxacin) are antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections. The drugs are in different drug classes. Bactrim is a combination of sulfamethoxazole, an anti-bacterial sulfonamide (a "sulfa" drug), and trimethoprim, a folic acid inhibitor. Cipro is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Side effects of Bactrim and Cipro that are similar …

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Vaccination FAQ: Questions and Answers

Why do people need vaccines? What is immunization? What is immunity? Share Your Story Vaccines are medications that boost our ability to fight off certain diseases. Many of the vaccine-preventable diseases are highly contagious and even fatal in non-immunized individuals (Table 1). Prior to the development of vaccines, these diseases disabled or killed millions of people. Many people living in …

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Amoxicillin vs. Augmentin Comparison of Side Effects (Alcohol), Dosage, Uses

Amoxicillin (amox-clav) vs. Augmentin comparison of differences Amoxicillin and Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate, amox-clav) are antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections including sinusitis, pneumonia, ear infections, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, and infections of the skin. Amoxicillin and Augmentin both belong to the penicillin drug class. A difference is that Augmentin is a combination medication that also contains clavulanic acid in addition to …

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Cipro vs. Levaquin: Differences between Uses & Strength

Cipro (ciprofloxacin) vs. Levaquin (levofloaxacin) quick comparison Cipro (ciprofloxacin) and Levaquin (levofloxacin) are antibiotics that belong to a class of drugs called fluoroquinolones. Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. Cipro and Levaquin are used to treat infections of the lungs, airways, skin, bones, and joints caused by susceptible bacteria. Both drugs are also used to …

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Linezolid (Zyvox) Antibiotic Side Effects, Dosage, Uses & How It Works

What is linezolid (Zyvox)? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Linezolid (Zyvox) is a synthetic antibiotic that is effective against bacteria such as Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, and others. It is effective against Staphylococcus aureus isolates that are resistant to other antibiotics. Linezolid prevents bacteria from growing by interfering with their ability to …

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loracarbef, Lorabid: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing

What is loracarbef, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Loracarbef is a synthetic oral antibiotic in the cephalosporin family of antibiotics. The cephalosporin family includes cephalexin (Keflex), cefaclor (Ceclor), cefuroxime (Zinacef), cefpodoxime (Vantin), cefprozil (Cefzil), and many injectable antibiotics. Like other cephalosporins, loracarbef stops bacteria from multiplying by preventing bacteria from forming the walls that surround them. The …

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Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Symptoms and Treatment

Viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) facts* *Viral hemorrhagic fever facts by Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD Viral hemorrhagic fevers are defined as a group of illnesses caused by different families of viruses that cause vascular damage that results in symptomatic bleeding (hemorrhage). For example, Arenaviridae cause Lassa fever (Lassa virus), Argentine hemorrhagic fever (Junin virus), and Bolivian hemorrhagic fever (Machupo virus); …

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Shigella Symptoms, Treatment & Transmission

Shigellosis facts* *Shigellosis facts by John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Shigellosis is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. There are four species of Shigella: Shigella sonnei (the most common species in the U.S.) Shigella flexneri Shigella boydii Shigella dysenteriae The transmission of most Shigella infections is caused by the bacterium passing from stools or soiled …

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