What is an antibiotic sensitivity test?
Antibiotics are medicines used to fight bacterial infections. There are different types of antibiotics. Each type is only effective against certain bacteria. An antibiotic sensitivity test can help find out which antibiotic will be most effective in treating your infection.
The test can also be helpful in finding a treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections. Antibiotic resistance happens when standard antibiotics become less effective or ineffective against certain bacteria. Antibiotic resistance can turn once easily treatable diseases into serious, even life-threatening illnesses.
Other names: antibiotic susceptibility test, sensitivity testing, antimicrobial susceptibility test
What is antibiotic sensitivity test used for?
An antibiotic sensitivity test is used to help find the best treatment for a bacterial infection. It may also be used to find out which treatment will work best on certain fungal infections.
Why do I need an antibiotic sensitivity test?
You may need this test if you have an infection that has been shown to have antibiotic resistance or is otherwise hard to treat. These include tuberculosis, MRSA, and C. diff. You may also need this test if you have a bacterial or fungal infection that is not responding to standard treatments.
What happens during an antibiotic sensitivity test?
The test is done by taking a sample from the infected site. The most common types of tests are listed below.
- Blood culture
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. - Urine culture
You will provide a sterile sample of urine in a cup, as instructed by your health care provider. - Wound culture
Your health care provider will use a special swab to collect a sample from the site of your wound. - Sputum culture
You may be asked to cough up sputum into a special cup, or a special swab may be used to take a sample from your nose. - Throat culture
Your health care provider will insert a special swab into your mouth to take a sample from the back of the throat and tonsils.
There are no special preparations needed for an antibiotic sensitivity test.
What do the antibiotic sensitivity test results mean?
Results are usually described in one of the following ways:
- Susceptible. The tested medicine stopped the growth or killed the bacteria or fungus causing your infection. The medicine may be a good choice for treatment.
- Intermediate. The medicine may work at a higher dose.
- Resistant. The medicine did not stop the growth or kill the bacteria or fungus causing the infection. It would not be a good choice for treatment.
If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider.
Incorrect use of antibiotics has played a big role in the rise in antibiotic resistance. Make sure you use antibiotics the right way by:
- Taking all doses as prescribed by your doctor
- Only taking antibiotics for bacterial infections. They don’t work on viruses, like colds and flu.
Disclaimer
Please seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for medical expertise. These are opinions from a panel of individual experts and are not to be considered opinions of Medikstar.