Antibiotics Expert

Yeast infections which are caused by an overgrowth of fungal organisms normally found in the vaginal area are very widespread. There are several reasons leading to the occurrence of overgrowth of yeast. And one of these is a common side effect of antibiotic treatment.

Why does antibiotic treatment cause yeast infection?

Taking antibiotics can have several adverse effects including the development of yeast infections. When you take an antibiotic for a bacterial infection, the drug may not only kill the target disease-causing bacteria but also the useful normal flora in your vagina. The decreased number of this normally thriving bacterial population can lead to an increase in the yeast population. Thus, yeast infection occurs.

The MRSA superbug has put the fear of infection and death in many people, particularly in relation to getting treatments in medical facilities such as hospitals. Vancomycin has been mentioned as one of the very few drugs that might treat it, but is this a viable solution?

Officials urge consumers to take antibiotics properly or risk worsening the growing problem of drug-resistant bacteria:

• Bugs become resistant through misuse or overuse of drugs, which raises the odds bacteria will mutate or learn to become resistant and survive. As the bacteria reproduce, the entire population may become resistant.

• Do not use antibiotics for illnesses caused by viruses. The drugs kill only bacteria.

• Viral or bacterial? No sure way to tell. In general, colds, sore throats, coughs and runny noses with little or no fever are caused by viruses. Ask the doctor to be sure, especially for children.

After the anthrax attacks of 2001, thousands of Americans took the antibiotic Cipro (ciprofloxacin) prophylactically in fear that they had been exposed to the deadly anthrax bacterium.

Unfortunately, while fewer than one in 5,000 had actually been exposed to the disease, about one in five users of the antibiotic suffered serious side effects, including hives, swelling of the throat, and difficulty breathing.

Even though many people think that antibiotics are harmless, these potent infection fighters actually can endanger your health and the health of your family if they are not used properly. Here are the top five myths about antibiotics and why not having the facts can cause you harm.