What is The Best Antibiotic for Lymphadenitis?

Lymphadenitis treatment involves antibiotic therapy because swelling lymph nodes is often associated with infections. Lymph nodes also referred to as lymph glands, are located in various parts of the body including the neck, abdomen, armpits, and groin. They carry white blood cells which play a vital role in keeping our bodies free of harmful organisms such as bacteria and viruses. In the process of trapping these harmful organisms, the concentration of white blood cells in the lymph nodes closest to the area affected increases. This, in turn, results in swelling of lymph nodes, which is called lymphadenitis. The best antibiotic therapy for an individual will depend on various factors such as the cause of lymphadenitis and the history of the patient’s medical history. Other than that, the allergic reaction of a person’s body to certain medication or its components is crucial to avoid any altercations with the antibiotic drugs.

Antibiotic Therapy For Lymphadenitis

Lymphadenitis is treated using antibiotic therapy because in most cases, the underlying cause is usually a bacterial infection. Some of the common antibiotics prescribed are:

Clindamycin: This antibiotic medication is used in treating various bacterial infections. It can be used in the treatment of staphylococcal infections, aerobic and anaerobic streptococci. Other than that, it is useful in inhibiting bacteria growth. It is prescribed under the prescription drug Cleocin.

Trimethoprim: It is often used in the treatment of bladder infections, although it can also be used in cases of middle ear infections and traveler’s diarrhea. It works by preventing the spread of antibacterial infection further into the body. When trimethoprim is administered alongside sulfamethoxazole, it helps in treating certain types of pneumonia, especially in patients with HIV.

Amoxicillin: Amoxicillin is a widely used antibiotic medication for a variety of bacterial infections. It can be used for infections of the ear, nose, lungs, urinary tract, stomach, skin, throat as well as gonorrhea, pneumonia, and tonsillitis. Amoxicillin is the generic name for the drug Amoxil. It can be used to fight against bacteria such as H. pylori, E.coli, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and H. influenzae.

Ampicillin: This is a penicillin form of antibiotic used in the treatment of bacterial infections of the bladder, ear, salmonella, E.coli, gonorrhea, gastrointestinal tract, endocarditis, and pneumonia. It is administered under the drug brand names Omnipen or Principen.

Ciprofloxacin: Ciprofloxacin belongs to the class of quinolone antibiotics. It is effective in treating bacterial infections only such as intraabdominal infections, respiratory tract infections, bone and joint infections, skin infections, typhoid fever, and urinary tract infections.

Lymphadenitis can also be treated using pain medication to relieve pain as well as anti-inflammatory medications. In addition to that, one may be prescribed with medication to lower high temperatures, relieving fever. If the swollen gland has accumulated pus, then it can be drained through a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

Causes and Symptoms of Lymphadenitis

Lymph nodes can swell due to a variety of reasons. The most common however is due to infections in the body such as common cold, flu, and stomach flu. Other diseases that can lead to lymphadenitis are; HIV, inflammatory diseases, typhoid, cat scratch disease, and sexually transmitted diseases. Cancer can also lead to inflammation of lymph nodes within the region of the mass growths.

The symptoms of lymphadenitis will differ depending on which lymph nodes are affected. The underlying cause of swollen lymph glands will also determine what symptoms you’re likely to experience. The common symptoms of lymphadenitis include;

Fever
Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Multiple enlarged lymph nodes
Tenderness and pain on the lymph nodes and on the overlying skin
Soreness in throat
The swollen lymph glands feel like hard masses over the skin.
Night Sweats.

Conclusion

Antibiotics are used in treating lymphadenitis attributed to by bacteria. So, if the underlying cause for your swollen lymph glands is a viral infection, antibiotics will not be of any use to your condition. In other words, the aforementioned drugs will not be useful in treating a cold or flu. For viral infections, antiretroviral drugs are the best in treating the underlying condition. Antibiotics work to inhibit the growth of and destroying bacteria altogether, thus curing the resultant infections. They are also referred to as antibacterial medications.

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What is The Best Antibiotic for Lymphadenitis?