I have been diagnosed with gall stones and the doctor has prescribed me a course of antibiotics to complete before I can have them removed. Why have I been prescribed antibiotics?

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Gallstones can cause blocking of the bile duct which can cause the gall bladder to become infected and inflamed. Symptoms of gall bladder infection (cholangitis) include: pain in your upper abdomen that travels towards your shoulder blade a high temperature jaundice chills confusion itchy skin generally feeling unwell Your doctor will start you on a course of antibiotics to help …

I have been prescribed Levofloxacin by my doctor for a chest infection. However after taking it for a few days I started to develop pain in my calf which developed into tendonitis of the ankles. Is this a side effect of Levofloxacin?

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Levofloxacin belongs to a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones and tendonitis is one of the common side effects of this group of antibiotics. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) advise that ‘treatment should be discontinued at the first signs of a serious adverse reaction, including tendon pain or inflammation’. Therefore, you should stop taking the antibiotics and see …

My 5-year old son has impetigo, around the mouth area, which has been treated with several courses of both oral and topical (creams) antibiotics. However the infection keeps returning. Can impetigo become resistant to antibiotics?

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Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection commonly occurring in young children. This skin infection is mainly caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria. Treatment is typically topical antibiotic creams or oral antibiotics if creams are not effective. Antimicrobial resistance has become a worldwide concern and needs to be addressed when selecting treatment for impetigo patients. If the impetigo …

I have recently been diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis; does this require treatment with antibiotics?

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The NHS states the following with regards to bacterial vaginosis: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of unusual vaginal discharge. BV is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but it can increase your risk of getting an STI such as chlamydia. BV is not a serious condition. Bacterial vaginosis is usually treated with oral antibiotics, gels or creams if …

Are Group A Streptococcal infections likely to be resistant to antibiotics?

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Despite being used extensively, Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infections are not resistant antibiotics. Penicillin and amoxicillin are first-line antibiotics for GAS infection. However, doctors often use alternative antibiotics to penicillin, such as clarithromycin and azithromycin (macrolide antibiotics) to treat GAS infection, particularly for people who are allergic to penicillin. GAS infection responds well to first line antibiotics of penicillin and …

My child is allergic to penicillin so what antibiotics would my child be given to treat Strep A if she caught it?

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The good news is, there are several different Strep treatment options for people with a penicillin allergy. Guidance from NHS England states children with penicillin allergy should be prescribed antibiotics belonging to a group called Macrolides. These include Clarithromycin and Azithromycin and are available in liquid form. The antibiotic course is usually 5 days in children. It is important to …

What is invasive Group A Strep?

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You asked us to explain what Invasive Group A Strep (or iGAS as its sometimes called) is. It’s where a small proportion of (usually) children can develop an invasive infection. Bacteria enters the bloodstream and can cause sepsis or deep seated infections. Signs to watch for are: Persistently high temperature Pinkish or red body rash where the skin feels like …

What is Strep A and how does it make you ill?

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Group A Streptococcal bacteria usually live in the mouth and nose. The bacteria are spread by coughing and sneezing. Droplets land on areas we then touch or if we are close enough to breathe them in. Some cause ‘Strep throat’ which feels like a sore throat. Others infect the skin through tiny cuts or sores, to cause impetigo or cellulitis. …

I have heard of a new antibiotic being developed called Fabimycin which could help fight antibiotic resistant bacteria causing UTIs and pneumonia. Is this available for treatment in the UK?

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Fabimycin is a new, man-made antibiotic found to kill hundreds of bacteria that are resistant to common antibiotics. Fabimycin is one of many tested compounds which successfully eradicated a range of gram negative bacteria including Klebsiella pneumoniae, E coli and even Acinetobacter baumannii. However, it is still at the clinical trial stage in the USA. So, it is not available …

I take life-long Penicillin prophylactically following removal of spleen and have recently been prescribed Clarithromycin for a chest infection. Is it ok to have the 2 antibiotics at the same time, I am particularly worried about resistance.

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It is safe to take Penicillin and Clarithromycin at the same time. Both these antibiotics work in different ways and are effective against different types of bacteria. As you are at a higher risk of developing an infection due to removal of spleen, it is important that you carry on taking Penicillin for this. Antibiotic resistance can develop as a …

I was told to stop taking a course of antibiotics by my doctor, following a negative urine sample test for a recurrent UTI. Does stopping a course of antibiotics early lead to antibiotic resistance?

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If you have started taking an antibiotic for an infection which testing subsequently shows you are unlikely to have, then it is sensible to stop that antibiotic. The risk of bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics is increased the longer they are exposed to that antibiotic. If the antibiotic isn’t needed, stopping it can limit exposure. This will hopefully prevent bacterial …

I have completed a course of Flucloxacillin for treatment of cellulitis; however I still have redness to the area where I had the infection. Does this mean I still have an active infection?

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Cellulitis is a skin infection caused by bacteria. It results in pain, swelling and discoloration to the area of infection on the skin. The discoloration, which can be red, purple or darker than the area of skin and looks like a rash, is caused by the toxins released from the bacteria. Flucloxacillin is a common treatment for cellulitis. After a …

I have just tested negative for COVID-19 and am due my flu vaccine. Is it ok for me to have this, or is it better to wait?

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Patients eligible to receive the NHS-funded flu vaccine should book their appointment. If you have recently had COVID-19, you can receive the flu vaccine when you’ve tested negative. You do not need to wait for the flu vaccine. However, if you are still feeling unwell due to suffering from COVID-19 despite a negative test result, it is best to speak …

I have a documented childhood allergy to penicillin; however, I am unsure what the nature of the allergy is. Is there any way I can be tested to check if I am still allergic?

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Penicillin allergy is one of the most commonly reported drug allergies. However, around 95% of patients with a penicillin allergy label have not experienced a true allergic reaction. It is possible to test for a penicillin allergy to see if you are genuinely allergic. It is important to be able to distinguish whether you have a true allergy to penicillin …

I have ongoing chronic UTI for which I take antibiotics regularly and feel I have a weakened immune system. I am due a COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine. Is it safe for me to have both the vaccines at the same time, as I am concerned about my weakened immune system?

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We understand why you might have concerns about having vaccines if you have a weakened immune system from treatments. However, advice from the NHS states that “it is safe to have the COVID-19 booster and flu vaccinations at the same time”. Since the COVID-19 vaccine does not protect against flu it is important that you have both vaccines to reduce …

I suffer from recurrent UTIs and have a penicillin allergy, which antibiotics would I need to avoid?

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The treatment offered for a UTI to people who are allergic to penicillin will depend on their history and nature of the reaction. It is recommended that they avoid all antibiotics belonging to the penicillin family. These include: Amoxicillin Ampicillin Flucloxicillin Co-amoxiclav Penicillin V (Phenoxymethylpenicllin) Penicillin G ( Benzylpenicillin) Piperacillin + Tazobactam (Tazocin) Temocillin Furthermore, antibiotics belonging to the cephalosporin …

What is antimicrobial stewardship and why is it important?

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Antimicrobial stewardship is a programme in a healthcare setting promoting the appropriate use of antibiotics. It also aims to improve patient outcomes and reduce the spread of multi-drug resistance organisms. Proper antimicrobial stewardship helps to reduce antimicrobial resistance and prevent a global health crisis. The goal is: to use the RIGHT antibiotic for the RIGHT person at the RIGHT time …

Is it best to take my antibiotics before or after food?

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The time to take your antibiotics and whether you take them before or after food will depend on the type of antibiotic you are taking. Antibiotics that are taken at the incorrect time increase a patient’s risk of suffering from nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting. Taking them incorrectly can also increase your chance of developing antibiotic resistance. In some instances, taking …

I have a flucloxacillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus skin infection, what are the alternative treatment options?

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Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of skin infection. A large number of strains are resistant to penicillin, such as flucloxacillin (1st line of treatment if no allergy) making this infection problematic to treat. It is possible that your staphylococcus aureus skin infection can’t be treated successfully with flucloxacillin. If that is the case, get advice from your GP about …