What Is Azithromycin Used For? -- An Overview
Azithromycin (
Zithromax®) is a prescription antibiotic licensed to treat a number of infections in both children and adults. Some of these azithromycin uses include:
- Treatment of bacterial infections
- Treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Bacterial Infections
Azithromycin is most commonly used to treat the following infections:
- Respiratory infections, such as bronchitis
- Ear infections (otitis media)
- Sinus infections (sinusitis)
- Pneumonia
- Throat infections (tonsillitis/pharyngitis)
- Skin infections, such as cellulitis, folliculitis, or impetigo
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Azithromycin may also be used to treat a number of other more uncommon bacterial infections.
Azithromycin is not effective against any infection caused by a virus, such as the flu,
stomach flu, or
common cold.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, represent a group of infections that are transmitted among people via direct sexual contact. People who have been infected with an STD usually experience painful discharge and a number of various symptoms that accompany inflammation of the cervix or urethra. Azithromycin is commonly used to treat STDs such as: