Antibiotics are a group of medications used to treat diseases caused by bacteria, either by directly killing or slowing their growth, thereby supporting the immune system in resolving the condition. In some severe acute bacterial infections, strong, high-dose antibiotics are often used to save patients' lives; however, certain risks are associated with their use that need attention.

Antibiotics are commonly used medications for treating infections in different parts of the body. Therefore, identifying the infection site helps doctors choose the appropriate antibiotic for the patient. In some cases, broad-spectrum antibiotics are selected to treat infections with an unclear bacterial cause or suspected involvement of multiple bacterial groups.