20 Common Ailments Requiring Antibiotics

Below is a list of 20 common outpatient bacterial infections that frequently require antibiotic treatment. They are presented in approximate order of how often antibiotics are prescribed in an outpatient setting. For each condition, common signs and symptoms, first-line antibiotic choice (with dose and duration), and alternatives (with dose and duration) are provided.

Note that actual prescribing may vary based on local resistance patterns, patient allergies, comorbidities, and current clinical guidelines. Always consult up-to-date clinical resources and guidelines.

[WARNING FROM THE EDITOR: This list is for educational purposes only. It is for those wishing to consider which conditions may be encountered during a SHTF/WROL scenario where appropriate, competent medical care may be unavailable. For all other times, please always consult your medical care professional because the last thing you want to do, possibly even beyond failing to treat a problem, is to treat it wrong! There’s a lot that goes into properly diagnosing and treating an acute problem like those listed below.]

Ailments List

1. Acute Otitis Media, AOM (Ear Infection)
   Signs/Symptoms: Ear pain, pulling at ears (children), fever, irritability, bulging/red tympanic membrane, possible hearing difficulty.
   First-line Antibiotic: Amoxicillin
   • Adults: 875 mg orally twice daily
   • Children: 80-90 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses
     Duration: 5-10 days (Shorter courses, e.g. 5-7 days, for older children/adults; 10 days for younger children <2 years)
     Alternative (Penicillin allergy): Azithromycin
   • Adults: 500 mg on day 1, then 250 mg daily days 2-5
   • Children: 10 mg/kg on day 1, then 5 mg/kg daily days 2-5
     Duration: 5 days total
2. Streptococcal Pharyngitis (Strep Throat)
   Signs/Symptoms: Sore throat, fever, tonsillar exudates, tender anterior cervical lymph nodes, no cough.
   First-line Antibiotic: Penicillin V
   • Adults: 500 mg orally 2-3 times daily
   • Children: 250 mg orally 2-3 times daily
     Duration: 10 days
     Alternative (Penicillin allergy): Azithromycin
   • Adults: 500 mg on day 1, then 250 mg daily days 2-5
   • Children: 12 mg/kg on day 1, then 6 mg/kg daily days 2-5
     Duration: 5 days total
3. Acute Bacterial Sinusitis (Sinus Infection)
   Signs/Symptoms: Nasal congestion >10 days, purulent nasal discharge, facial pain/pressure, maxillary tooth pain, fever.
   First-line Antibiotic: Amoxicillin-Clavulanate
   • Adults: 875/125 mg orally twice daily
   • Children: 45 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses
     Duration: 5-7 days (adults), 10 days (children)
     Alternative (Penicillin allergy in adults): Doxycycline
   • Adults: 100 mg orally twice daily
     Duration: 5-7 days
4. Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection, Cystitis (Bladder Infection or UTI)
   Signs/Symptoms: Dysuria, frequency, urgency, suprapubic pain, possibly hematuria.
   First-line Antibiotic: Nitrofurantoin (if normal renal function)
   • Adults: 100 mg orally twice daily
     Duration: 5 days
     Alternative: TMP-SMX (if local resistance <20%)
   • Adults: 1 double-strength (160/800 mg) tablet twice daily
     Duration: 3 days
5. Community-Acquired Pneumonia, mild outpatient (Lung Infection)
   Signs/Symptoms: Cough, fever, shortness of breath, pleuritic chest pain, fatigue, crackles on exam.
   First-line Antibiotic (no comorbidities): Amoxicillin
   • Adults: 1 g orally three times daily
     Duration: 5-7 days
     Alternative: Doxycycline
   • Adults: 100 mg orally twice daily
     Duration: 5-7 days
6. Cellulitis, Non-purulent (Skin Infection)
   Signs/Symptoms: Red, warm, tender, swollen skin, often on lower legs, possibly fever.
   First-line Antibiotic: Cephalexin
   • Adults: 500 mg orally four times daily
   • Children: 25-50 mg/kg/day divided every 6 hours
     Duration: 5-7 days
     Alternative (Penicillin allergy): Clindamycin
   • Adults: 300-450 mg orally three times daily
   • Children: 20-30 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses
     Duration: 5-7 days
7. Impetigo (Surface-Level Skin Sores)
   Signs/Symptoms: Honey-colored crusted lesions, often on face in children.
   First-line Antibiotic (if oral needed): Cephalexin
   • Adults: 500 mg twice daily
   • Children: 25-50 mg/kg/day in divided doses
     Duration: 5-7 days
     Alternative: Dicloxacillin or, if allergy, Clindamycin
   • Dicloxacillin (Adult): 250 mg four times daily for 7 days
8. Pyelonephritis, mild outpatient (Kidney Infection)
   Signs/Symptoms: Flank pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, urinary symptoms, CVA tenderness.
   First-line Antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin (if resistance <10%)
   • Adults: 500 mg orally twice daily
     Duration: 7 days
     Alternative: TMP-SMX
   • Adults: 1 double-strength tablet twice daily
     Duration: 14 days
9. Bacterial Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
   Signs/Symptoms: Red eye, purulent discharge, eyelids stuck together in the morning.
   First-line Antibiotic: Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment
   • Apply 1 cm ribbon to lower lid 4 times daily
     Duration: 5-7 days
     Alternative: Polymyxin B/Trimethoprim drops
   • 1-2 drops 4 times daily
     Duration: 5-7 days
10. Bacterial Vaginosis (Vaginal Infection)
    Signs/Symptoms: Thin, white, fishy-smelling vaginal discharge, minimal irritation.
    First-line Antibiotic: Metronidazole oral
    • Adults: 500 mg orally twice daily
      Duration: 7 days
      Alternative: Metronidazole gel 0.75% intravaginally
    • 5 g once daily
      Duration: 5 days
11. Chlamydia, Urethritis/Cervicitis (Sexually Transmitted Infection)
    Signs/Symptoms: May be asymptomatic or present with dysuria, urethral or cervical discharge.
    First-line Antibiotic: Azithromycin
    • Adults: 1 g orally once
      Duration: Single dose
      Alternative: Doxycycline
    • Adults: 100 mg orally twice daily
      Duration: 7 days
12. Lyme Disease, Early Localized (Tick-Borne Infection)
    Signs/Symptoms: Erythema migrans (bull’s-eye rash), fatigue, mild fever, joint aches.
    First-line Antibiotic: Doxycycline
    • Adults: 100 mg orally twice daily
      Duration: 10-14 days
      Alternative (pregnancy/children <8): Amoxicillin
    • Adults: 500 mg orally three times daily
      Duration: 14 days
13. Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
    Signs/Symptoms: Prolonged coughing episodes, inspiratory “whoop,” post-tussive vomiting.
    First-line Antibiotic: Azithromycin
    • Adults: 500 mg on day 1, then 250 mg daily days 2-5
    • Children: 10 mg/kg day 1, then 5 mg/kg days 2-5
      Duration: 5 days total
14. Animal Bite Wound, Prophylaxis/Treatment
    Signs/Symptoms: Bite wound from dog/cat/human, risk of Pasteurella multocida infection.
    First-line Antibiotic: Amoxicillin-Clavulanate
    • Adults: 875/125 mg orally twice daily
    • Children: 20-40 mg/kg/day divided in 2-3 doses
      Duration: 3-5 days prophylaxis; 5-7 days if infection present
      Alternative (Penicillin allergy): Doxycycline (adults) or TMP-SMX + Clindamycin (children)
15. Dental Abscess (Oral/Tooth Infection)
    Signs/Symptoms: Toothache, localized swelling, tenderness, possible drainage.
    First-line Antibiotic: Amoxicillin-Clavulanate
    • Adults: 875/125 mg orally twice daily
      Duration: 5-7 days
      Alternative: Penicillin V
    • Adults: 500 mg four times daily
      Duration: 5-7 days
16. Mastitis, in Lactating Women (Breast Infection due to breastfeeding)
    Signs/Symptoms: Breast tenderness, redness, warmth, fever, often unilateral.
    First-line Antibiotic: Dicloxacillin or Cephalexin
    • Adults: Dicloxacillin 500 mg four times daily or Cephalexin 500 mg four times daily
      Duration: 10-14 days
      Alternative (if MRSA suspected): TMP-SMX
    • Adults: 1 double-strength tablet twice daily
      Duration: 10-14 days
17. Erysipelas (Superficial Skin Infection)
    Signs/Symptoms: Well-demarcated, raised, red area on skin (often face or legs), fever, chills.
    First-line Antibiotic: Penicillin V
    • Adults: 500 mg four times daily
      Duration: 5-10 days
      Alternative (Penicillin allergy): Erythromycin or Clarithromycin
18. Furunculosis (Boils) – if oral antibiotics needed
    Signs/Symptoms: Painful, pus-filled nodule or abscess in skin/hair follicle.
    First-line Antibiotic (if MSSA): Cephalexin
    • Adults: 500 mg orally four times daily
      Duration: 5-7 days
      Alternative (if MRSA suspected): TMP-SMX
    • Adults: 1 double-strength tablet twice daily
      Duration: 5-10 days
19. Mild Outpatient Diverticulitis (Colon Infection/Inflammation)
    Signs/Symptoms: Left lower quadrant abdominal pain, fever, altered bowel habits.
    First-line Antibiotic: Amoxicillin-Clavulanate
    • Adults: 875/125 mg orally twice daily
      Duration: 7-10 days
      Alternative: Ciprofloxacin (500 mg twice daily) + Metronidazole (500 mg three times daily) for 7-10 days
20. H. pylori Infection, as part of triple therapy (Stomach Bacteria Infection)
    Signs/Symptoms: Epigastric pain, nausea, peptic ulcers on endoscopy, positive H. pylori test.
    First-line Antibiotics: Clarithromycin + Amoxicillin + PPI
    • Adults: Clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily + Amoxicillin 1 g twice daily
      Duration: 10-14 days
      Alternative (Penicillin allergy): Clarithromycin + Metronidazole + PPI
    • Metronidazole 500 mg twice daily, Clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily
      Duration: 10-14 days

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Note: Doses and durations may vary based on age, weight, renal function, local resistance patterns, and evolving guidelines. The information above provides commonly referenced regimens but should not replace clinical judgment or updated recommendations.

Antibiotics List

[You should consult your primary care physician for antibiotics or consider a company like Jase Medical if you’d like to be proactive in acquiring antibiotics and other medications. Note: This is not a sponsored post.]

Below is a general summary of the most commonly prescribed oral outpatient antibiotics listed in the previous conditions, roughly ordered from most frequently used in everyday outpatient practice to less frequently used. This ordering is based on typical prescribing patterns in primary care and the prevalence of the conditions for which they are first-line or commonly used. Actual usage can vary by region, resistance patterns, and evolving clinical guidelines.

1. Amoxicillin

• Commonly first-line for: Acute Otitis Media, Community-Acquired Pneumonia (mild), part of H. pylori triple therapy, and often preferred for Strep Throat (alternative to Penicillin V).
• Very frequently prescribed for respiratory and pediatric infections.

2. Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (Augmentin)

• First-line for: Acute Bacterial Sinusitis, Animal Bite Wounds, Dental Abscesses, and Mild Outpatient Diverticulitis.
• Broad-spectrum coverage makes it a go-to choice when simple amoxicillin may not suffice.

3. Cephalexin (a First-Generation Cephalosporin)

• First-line for: Cellulitis, Impetigo, Furunculosis, and Mastitis.
• Very common for skin and soft tissue infections, widely used in outpatient settings.

4. Azithromycin

• First-line for: Chlamydia, Pertussis.
• Common alternative for patients with penicillin allergies and often used in respiratory infections. Widely prescribed due to convenient dosing.

5. Doxycycline

• First-line for: Lyme Disease (early localized).
• Common as an alternative for Community-Acquired Pneumonia and Sinusitis (in penicillin-allergic patients), increasing in popularity due to its broad coverage.

6. Penicillin V

• First-line for: Strep Throat, Erysipelas.
• A historical gold standard, though often substituted by Amoxicillin for better compliance.

7. Nitrofurantoin

• First-line for: Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (cystitis) in women.
• Very frequently used for UTIs, assuming normal renal function.

8. Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX)

• Commonly used for UTIs (if resistance patterns allow), MRSA-related skin infections, and as an alternative in various conditions.
• Not always first-line, but still very commonly prescribed in the outpatient setting.

9. Metronidazole

• First-line for: Bacterial Vaginosis.
• Used in combination regimens (e.g., for H. pylori and Diverticulitis) and for anaerobic coverage.

10. Ciprofloxacin

• First-line for: Outpatient Pyelonephritis (if local resistance is low).
• Also used as an alternative in certain GI and urinary infections, though less favored due to resistance and side effect concerns.

11. Erythromycin (Ophthalmic Ointment)

• First-line for: Bacterial Conjunctivitis.
• Less frequently prescribed orally nowadays due to GI side effects and availability of better-tolerated alternatives, but still common topically.

12. Dicloxacillin

• Used for: Mastitis (in breastfeeding women) and as an option for certain skin infections.
• Less commonly used compared to cephalexin or amoxicillin-clavulanate, but still a viable narrow-spectrum anti-staphylococcal penicillin.

13. Clarithromycin

• Primarily used as part of triple therapy for H. pylori infections.
• Less commonly used alone due to resistance patterns and preference for azithromycin in respiratory infections.

This list is a simplified approximation. In reality, usage patterns depend on factors such as local antibiotic resistance, patient allergies, comorbidities, and evolving clinical guidelines.

[Note: This list of ailments and antibiotics was compiled using ChatGPT. How did it do?]