Which antibiotic and when.

Initial empirical antibiotic therapy for infection requires knowledge of the likely causative organism and its expected antibiotic susceptibilities. By definition, initiation of such therapy is required before culture results are available. Although antibiotic therapy appears complex and confusing owing to the ever increasing list of new agents, the factors to consider before choosing an antibiotic remain the same. This article looks at these factors and presents treatment choices for some common infections.