Tag Archives: infectious disease

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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); …

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 …

Zika virus facts Share Your Story Zika virus is a virus related to dengue, West Nile, and other viruses. Zika virus may play a role in developing congenital microcephaly (small head and brain) in the fetus of infected pregnant women. The viral disease was first noted in 1947 in Africa and has spread by outbreaks to many different countries, with …

Microcephaly facts* *Microcephaly facts medical author: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD Microcephaly is a condition where the head (circumference) is smaller than normal. Microcephaly may be caused by genetic abnormalities or by drugs, alcohol, certain viruses, and toxins that are exposed to the fetus during pregnancy and damage the developing brain tissue. Unfortunately, a 2015-2016 outbreak of Zika virus in …

Recreational water illness (RWIs) facts Contrary to popular belief, chlorine does not kill all germs instantly. There are germs today that are very tolerant to chlorine and were not known to cause human disease until recently. Once these germs get in the pool, it can take anywhere from minutes to days for chlorine to kill them. Swallowing just a little …

Background Share Your Story Variant CJD (vCJD) is a rare, degenerative, fatal brain disorder in humans. Although experience with this new disease is limited, evidence to date indicates that there has never been a case of vCJD transmitted through direct contact of one person with another. However, a case of probable transmission of vCJD through transfusion of blood components from …