Antibiotic Prophylaxis

Antibiotic Prophylaxis

Prophylaxis is the actions taken to maintain health and prevent the spread of disease.
Antibiotics are known for efficacy in overcoming infection. However, in some special conditions, some types of antibiotics are referred by medical personnel in order to prevent infection. For example, people who have abnormal heart valves have an increased risk of heart valve infection is very high if he had to undergo surgery.


The reason is bacteria from other parts of the body enters the bloodstream during surgery lasted flow to the heart valve. This infection can be prevented by giving antibiotics before undergoing any surgery, including dental surgery.

Antibiotics may be prescribed by medical personnel to prevent infection in humans with weakened immune systems, such as people with AIDS or undergoing cancer chemotherapy. But sometimes, as a preventive antibiotic therapy was also conducted in humans with a strong immune system, if they would undergo surgery to have a high degree of risk of infection.

All decisions regarding the use of antibiotics for prevention must be given by a physician.
Excessive use of antibiotics can cause resistance to the use of antibiotics for prevention is only recommended for a short time.

Examples of drugs used for antibiotic prophylaxis are amoxicillin (type of penicillin) and fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin and trovafloxacon. These drugs are only available through doctor's recommendation, in the form of tablets, capsules, liquids and injections.

For prophylaxis in surgery, the recommended type is a cephalosporin. This class includes cefazolin, cefamandole, cefotaxime, and others. Choice of drugs depends on the spectrum and the type of bacteria that will be encountered. For example, in colon surgery, there are many anaerobic bacteria that need cefoxitin. Another example, in cardiac surgery, no anaerobic, so that cefazolin is more suitable.

Dosage recommendations depending on the type of antibiotic selected doctor and the reason its use. For accuracy of dosage, patients are advised to consult with a physician or dentist recommends. Patients must comply with governance regulations recommended antibiotic consumption. Not less, not more.
Dosage recommendations for prophylactic surgery varies. Initially, the antibiotic prophylaxis given to patients already going into the operating room, and continued for 48 hours after surgery. Recent research indicates that a single dose of antibiotics given immediately before surgery begins as effective in preventing infection, but on the other hand, the consumption of these shortened to reduce the risk of resistance.

Warning below mainly refers to the effects of drugs consumed in multiple doses. When antibiotic prophylaxis is used as a single dose, side effects that occur rarely appears. Exceptions in patients allergic to antibiotics.

Because cephalosporin related to penicillin, patients who are allergic to penicillin should avoid cephalosporin.
If the medication causes nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, patients are advised to immediately consult with a physician or dentist who recommend therapy. Patients who take antibiotic prophylaxis for surgery is not allowed to wait until the day of surgery to report the circumstances associated with the drug experienced consumed. The doctors should be given information about health problems that arise.
Patients are advised to review the detailed explanation of the recommended drugs, such as penicillin or fluoroquinolones.

Effects
Antibiotics have side effects. Patients must have a clear explanation of the details about the side effects of certain antibiotics. Anyone who has unusual symptoms after, taking antibiotics should immediately consult a doctor giving a recommendation.
 
Interaction
Antibiotics are used both for treatment or prophylaxis still be able to interact with other drugs. When this happens the effect of one or both drugs may change or the risk of side effects may be greater. Every patient who will use antibiotics should inform your doctor about all other drugs he used and discuss potential drug interactions that may occur.