Antibiotics Articles

Science & Innovation

Viral vs Bacterial Infections: Different Pathogens, Different Approaches

When you experience symptoms of an infection such as fever, fatigue, decreased appetite, or pain, knowing whether a virus or bacteria is making you sick may be the key to getting the right treatment and feeling better.1,2Viruses and bacteria are among the most well-known causes of infection.3 Infections occur when viruses or bacteria invade the human host and proliferate.3 But there are some important distinctions between them, and it’s important to determine whether it’s a bacteria or virus...

Programs & Initiatives

A Billion Doses Delivered: 3 Lessons from the Fight Against Trachoma

Credit: Brent Stirton/Getty Images for ITI Imagine an infection that causes your eyelids to turn inward, so that your lashes—intended to protect your eyes—scrape against the sensitive outer surface of your eye every time you blink. The pain is excruciating and constant. Your eyes water. Your lashes scratch and scar your cornea, the clear tissue covering your eye. Your vision becomes increasingly hazy. That’s reality for nearly two million people. According to the World Health Organization (WHO...

What You Need to Know about Antibiotic Resistance

What is Antibiotic Resistance? Put simply, an antibiotic is a medication that will kill bacteria (or stop them from dividing) helping the body treat an infection. Antibiotic resistance occurs when an antibiotic loses its ability to stop bacterial growth and/or kill the bacteria. Because the bacteria continue to multiply despite the antibiotic, an infection can get worse even when taking an antibiotic. The more an antibiotic is used, the more likely resistance will develop. Use of an antibiotic...

Living & Wellbeing

How Clean Are Your Hands?

  Daily commitment to good hand hygiene will help to protect not only yourself, but also those around you, against life-threatening infections every single day. How? Well, most of the germs that make us sick are transferred through direct or indirect contact with contaminated hands or surfaces. Our hands carry on average 3,200 different germs belonging to more than 150 species – of which some can be harmful and cause infection – and improved handwashing technique can reduce their transmission...

Purpose & Ideals

Connecting Patients to the Resources They Need

At Pfizer, we believe that patients should have access to the medicines they need. Which is why, for more than 30 years, Pfizer RxPathways has helped connect patients to a range of assistance programs that offer insurance support, co-pay help,[1] and medication for free or at a savings. Each year, we receive emails, cards, and phone calls from patients and caregivers across the country expressing their appreciation and gratitude for our services and support. Here are excerpts from just a...

Purpose & Ideals

Traveling Nine Thousand Miles to Help End Trachoma

Antibiotics are a key component in the global effort to eliminate trachoma, the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness. One of several neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified for elimination, trachoma is a preventable disease, and one that affects those living in communities with limited access to healthcare, clean water and sanitation. Pfizer is proud to contribute to trachoma elimination efforts through the donation of an antibiotic used to...