What is Augmentin? Augmentin is a prescription antibiotic medication. It’s used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Augmentin belongs to the penicillin class of antibiotics. Augmentin contains two drugs: amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. This combination makes Augmentin work against more types of bacteria than antibiotics that contain amoxicillin alone. Augmentin is effective for treating infections […]
Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Where antibiotics fail, ‘bacteria-eating’ viruses may prevail
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can cause infections that are very difficult to treat, and they may sometimes put a person’s life in danger. However, a creative new approach may offer a potent weapon against these “superbugs.” Bacteriophages (depicted above) are viruses that can infect and destroy bacteria. Could they hold the answer to antibiotic resistance? The recent […]
How do cancer-causing bacteria take over our stomachs?
A new study in mice uses cutting-edge imaging techniques to investigate how H. pylori, which are present in around half of the humans on earth, survive and thrive in the stomach. How do H. pylori (pictured above) colonize humans so successfully? Gut bacteria are one of the hottest topics in medical science today. As scientists […]
What causes a smell behind the ear?
Most people do not give the area behind their ears much attention. However, some people may notice a smell that originates there. Sometimes, poor hygiene can cause the smell, but minor infections are also a common cause. Because people cannot see the area behind their ears, they may not think to wash it or check […]
What causes sharp stomach pain that comes and goes?
Sharp stomach pain can leave a person doubled over or briefly unable to move. When the pain eases, anxiety about the next wave of pain can build up. Sharp stomach pain is common and not usually a sign of a serious medical problem. Even when there is a serious underlying cause, prompt treatment can ease […]
Why pet antibiotics could make their owners sick
At a small animal hospital in the United Kingdom, researchers have found a gene that enables bacteria to be highly resistant to linezolid — an antibiotic that doctors use to treat serious infections in humans. New research warns about the dangers of transmitting drug-resistant bacteria between humans and their pets. Healthcare professionals give linezolid when […]
How to recognize and treat an infected wound
A wound infection occurs when germs, such as bacteria, grow within the damaged skin of a wound. Symptoms can include increasing pain, swelling, and redness. More severe infections may cause nausea, chills, or fever. A person may be able to treat minor wound infections at home. However, people with more severe or persistent wound infections […]
Is it safe to mix Flagyl and alcohol?
Drinking alcohol while taking Flagyl can cause serious side effects. Doctors and pharmacists advise people to avoid alcohol entirely while using the medication in any form, including oral Flagyl tablets and topical Flagyl creams. Flagyl is an antibiotic that treats many infections, including abdominal and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). While not all antibiotics interact with […]
Urethral stricture: Everything you need to know
The urethra is the thin tube that carries urine from the urinary bladder out of the body. A urethral stricture is when narrowing from scar tissue occurs in the urethra. Urethral strictures can obstruct the ability to urinate and cause urine to back up in the urinary tract. This can lead to kidney damage. In […]
What to know about reactive lymph nodes
When the body fights an infection or injury, lymph nodes sometimes swell. Doctors call this a reactive lymph node. Reactive lymph nodes are not dangerous. Lymph nodes house B and T lymphocytes, which are essential types of white blood cells. These cells help the body fight off infections from bacteria and viruses. Lymph nodes also […]