Find out when antibiotics are prescribed and when IV antibiotics may be necessary.
Bacteria and germs are all around us, so it’s not surprising that sometimes bacteria and other germs can get inside our bodies and cause us to become sick. Certain illnesses such as the common cold or flu will just need to run their course, there are other infections that will require antibiotics to prevent them from getting worse. Here in Mentor, Ashtabula, and Geneva, OH, Dr. Olusegun Ogunlesi is a board-certified infectious disease specialist who treats everything from abscesses and cellulitis to MRSA and HIV at Axelix Health Consulting Inc.
When are antibiotics necessary?
If you are dealing with a bacterial infection, it’s important that you seek immediate care. Usually, the first line of defense is to prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotics are only used to treat bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections, strep throat, and some ear infections and not infections like the flu or common cold.
More serious infections such as sepsis will also require antibiotics but they may be administered through an IV so that the medication can get to work faster.
When is IV antibiotic therapy needed?
There are certain infections in which your Mentor, Ashtabula, and Geneva, OH, doctor will recommend IV antibiotics rather than oral antibiotics. IV antibiotics work a little faster because the medication is placed directly into the IV, which goes into the bloodstream immediately and doesn’t get absorbed by the gut. You may require IV antibiotic therapy if:
- Your infection isn’t responding to oral antibiotics
- Your infection is severe
- You have a bacterial infection of the heart, brain, lungs, kidney, or bones
- You require high doses of antibiotics that cannot be administered orally
When you come into our practice for IV antibiotics, we will monitor your health and condition closely and make any necessary adjustments to your dosage. We will also be here to make sure that any side effects or issues are dealt with as quickly as possible.
Depending on the severity of the infection, some patients may need to remain on IV antibiotics for anywhere from 10 to 21 days. This is something that we will discuss with you when you come into our office for treatment.
Axelix Health Consulting Inc provides infectious disease treatment and management to the Mentor, Ashtabula, and Geneva, OH, areas. If you are sick, call Dr. Ogunlesi and his team today at (440)-867-4800 for an immediate consultation.