Antibiotics are medicines used to kill bacteria. Over time, certain groups of these germs may adapt to these medicines. They may change in such a way that antibiotics can't kill them. This is called antibiotic resistance.
Detailed information on the use of antibiotics and children
Antibiotics have been called "wonder drugs," because of their ability to treat bacterial infections that were once deadly. Antibiotics have saved countless lives since they were first introduced 60 years ago. But over use of these drugs has allowed some bacteria to become resistant to them.
This blood test looks at the genetic makeup of a strain of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The test can be useful in planning your treatment for HIV.
Pseudomembranous colitis is an inflammatory disorder of the colon associated with antibiotic use. Bacteria such as Clostridium difficile, which are usually present in the colon, can flourish when antibiotics are taken. This video explains how this disorder develops and what treatment is recommended.
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are a type of bacteria. They can cause infections. These infections can be hard to treat.
This test looks for bacteria called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a fluid sample from your body.
There are millions of pet cats in the U.S. Sometimes cats can cause an illness called cat scratch disease. Find out more about this illness by taking this quiz.
MRSA most often causes minor skin infections in young athletes. But if untreated, the bacteria may invade the bloodstream and become a life-threatening infection. Read on to learn more.
Detailed information on infections in children
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria. Bacteria that can't be killed by the antibiotic methicillin and other similar medicines are called methicillin-resistant. Community-acquired means that you didn't get the infection in a hospital or other healthcare setting. MRSA infections are sometimes very hard to treat.
During an appendectomy, the surgeon removed your appendix. In some cases, you may take antibiotics first. But most people will need to have their appendix taken out right away.
If the bandage or dressing over your incision gets wet or soiled, here's what to do to replace it with a fresh one.
Metabolic syndrome is a condition that includes the presence of a cluster of risk factors specific for cardiovascular disease. Metabolic syndrome greatly raises the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, stroke, or all three.
Many people with diabetes need to change their treatment plan at some point. There are benefits to this. For instance, taking insulin can make it easier to manage your blood sugar. Read on to learn more.
Detailed information on microbiology and the most common microbiology tests.
Your urinary tract includes the organs that collect and store urine and release it from your body. They are the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
Watch this video to learn how gestational diabetes affects your pregnancy, including how hormones produced during your pregnancy affect your blood glucose levels, and the testing for gestational diabetes.