Reference no: EM131737969

Question - Antimicrobial Therapies

Let's talk spectrum of activity. Those not already in the medical field may have heard of "broad spectrum" antibiotics but really didn't fully understand exactly what this was referring to. A broad spectrum agent attacks many different organisms whereas a narrow spectrum agent attacks a few different specific microorganisms. A broad spectrum is typically used when the cause of the infection is unknown, so a provider gives a patient a broad spectrum hoping to "catch" the microbe in a wide net. It is best however (if the microorganism is known) to use a specific agent or narrow spectrum agent to kill the microbe so that the natural flora of the body is not too disturbed in the process of ridding the body of infection.

Which types of antibiotics are most effective against what types of infections? Research and share a few examples.