Antibiotics are medicines used to treat infections caused by bacteria. There are many different types of antibiotics and they are among the most commonly prescribed medications.
Bacterial lung infections can lead to a mass arrival of white blood cells into the organ’s tissue and airways. which can be one of the major causes of lung destruction in patients diagnosed with A1AD. To reduce the risk most physicians prescribe rapid antibiotic treatment at the first signs of lung infection.
Bacteria can adapt and find ways to survive the effects of an antibiotic becoming ‘antibiotic resistant’ so it no longer works. However, even though the original infection may not be as a result of bacterial infection but maybe due to a virus which would not normally benefit from antibiotics, a viral infection in Alpha patients will often lead to a secondary bacterial infection. Therefore the benefits usually outweigh the risks of antibiotic overuse.
It is widely recommended that Alpha’s have a supply of antibiotics and steroids at home, to self administer at the first signs of infection. Discuss with your GP or nurse when you should take them.
The following is a list of the most common antibiotics used in the treatment of chest infections:
| Name | Chemical Name | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Amoxil | Amoxicillin | antibiotic appropriate for chest infections |
| Cefuroxime | Cefuroxime | antibiotic appropriate for chest infections |
| Clarithromycin | Clarithromycin | antibiotic appropriate for chest infections |
| Keflex | Cefalexin | antibiotic appropriate for chest infections |
