What Are IV Antibiotics?
Intravenous (IV) antibiotics are medications which are delivered directly into the bloodstream using a needle and tubing connected to a bag or container. Most often, the medication is delivered slowly through a drip process, which helps to avoid introducing air into the blood. IV antibiotics are generally used for the treatment of bacterial infections. By delivering the medications into the bloodstream directly, they are carried to the site of infection more quickly and efficiently in order to promote a speedier healing time. IV antibiotics are usually reserved for severe infections which require faster treatment. Lesser bacterial growths are treated using oral antibiotics, which carry fewer side effects and chances for complications. IV antibiotics may also be given in much higher doses, depending on the severity and type of infection being treated. Sometimes intravenous antibiotics may be used in a less severe infection if oral medications cannot get to the appropriate location. For
