Common Bacterial Infections & the Best Antibiotics to Treat Them

03/28/2025

 

The History of Bacterial Infections and Antibiotics

What are bacterial infections? While this may seem like a self-explanatory question, being able to differentiate between bacterial, viral, and fungal infections is crucial. This is important because the course of treatment depends on the cause of the infection. Unlike a viral infection such as the flu, where you are required to only treat symptoms, it is essential to treat bacterial infections with antibiotics as they can be potentially fatal if left untreated. The famous plague epidemic that has hit the population thrice was orchestrated by the bacteria known as Yersinia pestis. The accidental discovery of antibiotics by Alexander Fleming in 1910 changed the course of humanity. It can be deemed as the most valuable breakthrough in human medical science, saving millions, if not billions, of lives since its discovery. Let’s explore some common bacterial infections!

What are Some of the Most Common Bacterial Infections, and Which Antibiotics are Used to Treat Them?

Here are some of the most common bacterial infections that are present in the environment. Let us examine the causes of these infections and how they may be contracted. We will also be listing the best antibiotics that are used for the treatment of these infections. Remember, this blog is not a replacement for a doctor’s consultation, and you still need a prescription to avail any of these medications.

Acne:

Acne (acne vulgaris) is most commonly caused by the bacteria Cutibacterium acne. This bacteria is known to dwell on the skin naturally, but there can be an overgrowth through many causes, such as excess sebum formation, white head formations, and excess oils on the skin. Hormonal fluctuations, especially during puberty, can also trigger acne.

Your doctor may prescribe generic Anti biotic drugs, such as erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracyclines, etc., to ease this condition.

Bronchitis:

While most upper respiratory infections may be caused by viruses, some can also be a result of bacteria such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae (walking pneumonia), Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Bordetella Pertussis (whooping cough). These infections are most commonly spread through contamination of objects and surfaces and exposure to droplets (by coughing or sneezing).

The most common cheap anti biotic drugs that are used to treat these infections are Doxycycline and Fluoroquinolones.

Conjunctivitis:

The common suspects that cause bacterial conjunctivitis are streptococcus or staphylococcus. These infections are usually contracted by touching contaminated objects with your hands and then touching your eyes with them or through contaminated shared objects such as VR Goggles or sunglasses.

Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, or erythromycin to treat conjunctiva infections.

Otitis Media:

Otitis media (an ear infection that causes inflammation behind the eardrum) is a dangerous infection that can infect your ears and even mastoid bone, causing hearing loss. This bacteria is known to spread through respiratory droplets of other droplet-communicable infections.

The most common antibiotic prescribed for first-line defense of this infection is high-dose amoxicillin.

Strep Throat:

Strep Throat is a very contagious bacterial disease which is caused by the bacteria known as streptococcus pyogenes. This infection causes sore throats, fever, swollen glands, and white patches on the tonsils.

The first line of defense for strep throat is penicillin, but cephalexin, clindamycin, or azithromycin are also used to treat this infection.

Salmonella:

Salmonella is a bacterial infection that usually targets the alimentary canal and spreads through uncooked meat or contaminated food. Salmonella is caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi.

The most common antibiotics that are administered by your doctor to treat this infection are ceftriaxone, azithromycin, and ciprofloxacin.

Clostridioides Difficile Infection:

The C. diff bacteria is naturally present in our bodies or in our surroundings and is most commonly spread through particles of feces. However, this bacteria most commonly causes an infection due to prolonged antibiotic use.

The antibiotics that are then used to combat this bacteria may be vancomycin, fidaxomicin, and metronidazole (oral or intravenous).

Why Should We Responsibly Use Antibiotics?  

With advancements in technology, it is easier than ever to avail antibiotics. You can buy anti biotics online from pharmacies with a prescription, and it will be delivered to your doorstep in just a few days. But, in recent years, people have started to use antibiotics very leniently. Taking a dose of this medication at the first site of a fever without knowing the causal pathogen, taking antibiotics without a prescription, and stopping the course of the medication just when you start to feel okay. This careless use of antibiotics has inadvertently led to the creation of Drug-Resistant Bacteria.

These are evolved bacteria that are resistant to the drugs that are usually administered to treat them. This is a huge problem as these bacteria might spread rampantly, causing untreatable epidemics while medicines take time to catch up. It is crucial that everyone uses antibiotics responsibly to prevent the spread of incurable diseases.

Conclusion

While treatments such as bacteriophage-antibiotics are still in the works, it is important that we understand just how valuable the discovery of antibiotics was to humankind. Bacteria are present all around us and even inside us. While most of them do not harm us, and some even work in a symbiotic relationship with us, pathogenic bacteria are constantly fighting to hijack the immune systems of humans. We are lucky to have been born in the age of antibiotics, as even the slightest cut before this time would have led to deadly bacterial infections. We should be thankful for the discovery of antibiotics and cautious about their use.