Antibiotic prophylaxis
Antibiotic prophylaxis refers to the prevention of infection through the administration of antibiotics. It is a common practice in medicine and dentistry, particularly before procedures that have a high risk of infection.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Antibiotic prophylaxis is used to prevent bacterial infections in patients who are at high risk. This includes patients with certain heart conditions, those undergoing surgery, and those with compromised immune systems. The type of antibiotic used depends on the type of procedure and the patient's medical history.
Indications[edit | edit source]
Antibiotic prophylaxis is indicated in a variety of situations. In cardiology, it is used to prevent endocarditis in patients with certain heart conditions undergoing dental procedures. In surgery, it is used to prevent surgical site infections. In patients with compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or those undergoing chemotherapy, it is used to prevent opportunistic infections.
Procedure[edit | edit source]
The procedure for antibiotic prophylaxis involves the administration of antibiotics before the potential exposure to bacteria. The timing of administration is critical, as the antibiotics must be in the bloodstream at the time of the procedure. The type of antibiotic used and the duration of therapy depend on the type of procedure and the patient's medical history.
Risks[edit | edit source]
While antibiotic prophylaxis can prevent infections, it is not without risks. These include allergic reactions, drug interactions, and the development of antibiotic resistance. Therefore, it is important to use antibiotic prophylaxis judiciously and only when indicated.
See also[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
