Anti-infective medicines
Infections: medicines & conditions
Infections are caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Anti-infective medicines target the organism causing the illness — and using them carefully keeps them working for everyone.
Education and reference only. This hub explains which medicines relate to the infections and why — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
About the infections
This is one of the broadest medicine groups: antibiotics of many classes, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials and more, each suited to particular organisms and infections. The single most important theme across all of them is antimicrobial stewardship — using the right drug for the right infection, for the right length of time, and not using antibiotics for illnesses they cannot help. Completing or following the agreed course as advised, reporting serious reactions, and being aware of key interactions all matter. Used well, these medicines are life-saving; used carelessly, they drive resistance.
What this covers
- Antibiotics (many classes)
- Antifungal medicines
- Antiviral medicines
- Malaria and other anti-infectives
Conditions in this area
Infections conditions (63)
Each links to a dose-free guide showing which medicine classes are used and how treatment is approached.
Infections Actinomycosis A rare bacterial infection that causes slowly developing lumps and abscesses, often around the mouth, jaw or neck — trea… Infections Bird flu A type of flu that mainly affects birds and rarely infects people, but can cause serious illness — where human cases are… Infections Botulism A rare but serious condition caused by a nerve toxin, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis — a medical emergency nee… Infections Brucellosis A bacterial infection caught from infected animals or unpasteurised dairy products, causing fever, sweats and aches — ra… Infections Campylobacter infection A very common cause of food poisoning, usually from undercooked poultry, causing diarrhoea (sometimes bloody), cramps an… Infections Chickenpox A common, usually mild childhood viral infection causing an itchy, blistering rash and mild fever, mostly managed with c… Infections Chikungunya A mosquito-borne viral infection causing fever and often severe joint pain — rarely fatal, usually a travel-related illn… Infections Cholera A bacterial infection spread through contaminated water and food that causes severe watery diarrhoea and dehydration — t… Infections Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection A bowel infection causing diarrhoea, often after antibiotics disturb the gut's normal bacteria — treated with specific a… Infections COVID-19 An illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that ranges from a mild cold-like illness to severe breathing problems —… Infections Cytomegalovirus (CMV) A very common virus that usually causes no symptoms in healthy people, but can be important in pregnancy and for those w… Infections Dengue fever A viral infection spread by mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical regions, causing high fever, severe aches and a rash … Infections Diphtheria A serious but now rare bacterial infection, prevented by routine vaccination — mainly a risk to unvaccinated people, and… Infections E. coli infection Infection with E. coli bacteria, which can cause food poisoning (some types severe) or urine and other infections — mana… Infections Ebola virus disease A rare but serious viral illness that occurs in outbreaks in parts of Africa, spread through contact with body fluids — … Infections Giardiasis A gut infection caused by a parasite, often picked up from contaminated water or food while travelling, causing prolonge… Infections Glandular fever A usually self-limiting viral infection, most often caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and common in teenagers and young a… Infections Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) A serious bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and other severe illness, now rare thanks to the Hib vaccine — w… Infections Hand, foot and mouth disease A common, mild viral infection in young children causing mouth ulcers and a rash or blisters on the hands and feet — it … Infections Hantavirus A rare group of viral infections spread mainly through contact with infected rodents or their droppings — which can, in … Infections Hepatitis A A viral liver infection spread through contaminated food or water, causing short-lived illness — usually clearing on its… Infections Hepatitis E A viral liver infection, often caught from undercooked meat or contaminated water, usually causing a short-lived illness… Infections HIV A virus that damages the immune system if untreated — but with modern treatment it becomes a manageable long-term condit… Infections Intestinal worms A group of gut infections caused by worms — threadworm is very common and easily treated in UK children, usually with a … Infections Japanese encephalitis A rare viral infection spread by mosquitoes in parts of Asia that can cause serious brain inflammation — where a vaccine… Infections Legionnaires' disease A serious form of pneumonia caught by breathing in tiny water droplets containing Legionella bacteria — treated with ant… Infections Leishmaniasis A parasitic infection spread by sandfly bites in parts of the tropics and the Mediterranean, causing skin sores or, less… Infections Leptospirosis A bacterial infection spread through water or soil contaminated by animal urine, usually causing a flu-like illness — oc… Infections Listeria infection An uncommon food-borne infection that is usually mild in healthy people but can be serious in pregnancy, older people an… Infections Lyme disease A bacterial infection caught from the bite of an infected tick — often heralded by a spreading "bull's-eye" rash and flu… Infections Malaria A serious parasitic infection spread by mosquito bites in tropical regions — a fever during or after travel to a malaria… Infections Measles A highly infectious viral illness causing fever, a cough, sore eyes and a rash — usually preventable by the MMR vaccine … Infections Meningitis Inflammation of the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord — often viral and milder, but bacterial mening… Infections Mpox A viral infection causing a rash and flu-like symptoms, spread mainly through close contact — usually mild and clearing … Infections MRSA A type of common bacteria resistant to several antibiotics that can cause infections, particularly in healthcare setting… Infections Mumps A viral infection best known for causing painful swelling of the glands at the sides of the face — usually mild, prevent… Infections Norovirus A very common, highly infectious cause of sudden vomiting and diarrhoea — unpleasant but usually short-lived, with the m… Infections Polio A viral infection that can, in a small number of cases, cause paralysis — now very rare thanks to vaccination, where kee… Infections Q fever A bacterial infection usually caught from farm animals, often causing a flu-like illness or no symptoms — usually resolv… Infections Rabies A viral infection spread through the bite or scratch of an infected animal that is almost always fatal once symptoms app… Infections Roseola A common, mild viral infection of young children causing a few days of high fever followed by a rash — which clears on i… Infections Roundworm infection A common intestinal worm infection worldwide, caught from contaminated food or soil — often symptomless and easily treat… Infections Rubella A usually mild viral infection causing a rash and swollen glands, but dangerous in pregnancy as it can seriously harm th… Infections Salmonella infection A common cause of food poisoning, usually from contaminated food, causing diarrhoea, cramps and fever — which usually se… Infections Scarlet fever A contagious bacterial infection caused by group A streptococcus, mostly affecting young children, with a sore throat, f… Infections Schistosomiasis A parasitic infection caught from contaminated fresh water in parts of Africa and elsewhere — treatable, and important f… Infections Sepsis A life-threatening overreaction by the body to an infection that can rapidly damage organs — a medical emergency where e… Infections Slapped cheek syndrome A common, usually mild viral infection in children causing a bright red rash on the cheeks — mostly harmless but needing… Infections Staphylococcal infections Infections caused by staphylococcus ("staph") bacteria, which commonly cause skin infections but can occasionally cause … Infections Tapeworm infection An intestinal infection from a flat, ribbon-like worm, usually caught from undercooked meat or fish — often causing few … Infections Tetanus A rare but serious bacterial infection, usually from a contaminated wound, that causes muscle stiffness and spasms — lar… Infections Threadworms A very common and harmless intestinal worm infection, especially in children, causing an itchy bottom — easily treated w… Infections Tick-borne encephalitis A viral infection spread by tick bites in parts of Europe and Asia that can affect the brain — where a vaccine and avoid… Infections Tonsillitis Inflammation of the tonsils causing a sore throat, painful swallowing, fever and swollen neck glands — usually caused by… Infections Toxic shock syndrome A rare but life-threatening condition caused by bacterial toxins, causing sudden high fever, a rash and feeling very unw… Infections Toxocariasis A rare infection caught from tiny worm eggs in soil contaminated by dog or cat faeces — usually causing no or mild sympt… Infections Toxoplasmosis A common infection caused by a parasite, usually mild or symptomless in healthy people, but important in pregnancy and f… Infections Tuberculosis (TB) A bacterial infection, usually of the lungs, that spreads through the air — curable with a combination of antibiotics ta… Infections Typhoid fever A bacterial infection spread through contaminated food and water, mainly in parts of the world with poorer sanitation — … Infections Typhus A group of bacterial infections spread by insects such as lice, fleas, or mites, causing fever, headache and a rash — tr… Infections Whooping cough A highly contagious bacterial infection causing bouts of intense coughing and the characteristic "whoop" — most dangerou… Infections Yellow fever A serious viral infection spread by mosquitoes in parts of Africa and South America — preventable by a highly effective … Infections Zika virus A usually mild viral infection spread mainly by mosquitoes, important because infection in pregnancy can seriously harm …
Medicine classes
Medicines for the infections (23)
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Aminoglycosides Anti-infective Powerful antibiotics for serious Gram-negative infection that need careful, weight- and renal-based dosing and… Anthelmintics Anti-infective Medicines that treat worm (helminth) infections — from common threadworm in UK children to roundworm, tapeworm… Antimalarials Anti-infective Drugs used to prevent and treat malaria — the right choice depends on the region, parasite resistance and whet… Antiretrovirals Anti-infective Combination drugs that suppress HIV so the virus becomes undetectable and untransmittable — taken lifelong and… Antiviral drugs (herpes) Anti-infective Treat cold sores, genital herpes and shingles — most effective when started early.… Azole antifungals Anti-infective Common antifungal drugs — effective, but major sources of drug interactions.… Carbapenems Anti-infective Very broad-spectrum "reserve" antibiotics for severe or resistant infections — used carefully to preserve them… Cephalosporins Anti-infective A broad family of beta-lactam antibiotics used across many infections, grouped into "generations".… Fluoroquinolones Anti-infective Broad-spectrum antibiotics now restricted to specific situations because of serious side-effects.… Glycopeptide antibiotics Anti-infective Powerful antibiotics for serious Gram-positive infections including MRSA — needing careful level monitoring.… Hepatitis antivirals Anti-infective Modern tablets that cure most hepatitis C and control hepatitis B, protecting the liver long term.… HIV PrEP Anti-infective Medicine taken by HIV-negative people to prevent catching HIV — highly effective when taken correctly.… Influenza antivirals Anti-infective Reduce the duration of flu and protect high-risk people — most useful started early.… Macrolide antibiotics Anti-infective Common antibiotics for respiratory and other infections, and an option in penicillin allergy.… Metronidazole Anti-infective Treats anaerobic bacterial and certain parasitic infections — with a strict no-alcohol rule.… Nystatin (oral thrush) Anti-infective Treats oral thrush by acting directly in the mouth.… Penicillins Anti-infective A large, widely used antibiotic family — first-line for many common infections.… Systemic antifungals Anti-infective Hospital antifungal drugs for serious, invasive fungal infections — beyond the everyday azoles and creams.… Terbinafine Anti-infective The usual oral treatment for fungal nail and stubborn skin infections.… Tetracyclines Anti-infective Broad-spectrum antibiotics used for chest infections, acne, and some tick-borne and atypical infections.… Tuberculosis drugs Anti-infective Combination therapy taken over months to cure tuberculosis and prevent resistance — adherence is essential and… UTI antibiotics Anti-infective First-line antibiotics for urine infections — choice shaped by kidney function and pregnancy.… Vaccines Anti-infective Train the immune system to recognise and fight specific infections before you ever meet them.…
By active ingredient
Common infections medicines by name
Individual, dose-free guides to specific active ingredients (and their brands) in this area:
Answers
Infections: frequently asked questions
What medicines are used for the infections?
This system includes 23 medicine classes — such as aminoglycosides, anthelmintics, antimalarials, antiretrovirals. Each links to a full, dose-free guide covering what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects and interactions.
Which conditions affect the infections?
Common conditions in this area include Actinomycosis, Bird flu, Botulism, Brucellosis, Campylobacter infection and more. Each condition page shows the medicine classes used to treat it and why.
Do these pages give doses?
No. Every page on this site is dose-free. We explain which medicines are used and why, but doses depend on the individual and the exact product — always confirm with your prescriber, the BNF and the product labelling.
Is this a substitute for medical advice?
No — it is education and reference only. It helps you understand this body system and its treatments, but decisions about your own care should always be made with a qualified clinician.
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