Strep viridanis and strep B

[Lostinasia]

Hi,
I had an issue back in 2008 and ended up making the decision to live with the problem vs trying to cure it with every antibiotic available. I'd hate to give myself MRSA Staph.(2 more drugs and I'd have it living on me). I went back to get a check up and see if I still had strep v. Now I have two types. Both not stds but both from oral sex....sounds like an STD TO ME but eat do I know.

Anyways, a culture showed both were treatable with benzoyl penicillin, ampicillin,cefotaximine, levofloxin and vancomycin. As a perscription, 2 weeks of cioprofloxin. Doesn't make sense to me! Are the drugs, despite being in the same class, interchanagble?

[mkh9]

Welcome to the Infectious Disease forum. I am a microbiologist not a doctor but can try to answer your questions:
I'm not sure why you would be treated for Strep viridans. It is normal skin bacteria and normal oral bacteria. But If you are being treated for dental problems sometimes certain strains of viridans strep. Strep mutans and Strep. Sanguinis can cause dental cavities if you have a problem with bleeding gums for example.
It is not an STD. You normally have these bacteria and can get them anywhere. Possibly from a kiss since these particular strains like the oral cavity. But if they just said "strep viridans" it could be from the skin or elsewhere. Strep group B (the name is actually Streptococcus agalactiae) can cause sore throat  and other problems like wound infections. Also Group B strep can be normal vaginal flora (bacteria) but when present during pregancy can cause harm to a baby when it is born.

So I'm not sure what you are being treated for?

What symptoms do you have?

Penicillin, ampicillin, cefotaxime are a similar drug class Cephaloporins and penicillin type drugs, and levofloxacin and cipro are also in their own drug class (quinolones)  while vancomycin is a diffierent drug class.

Let me know what I can help you with. Or if I answered your question.

mkh9

[mkh9]

If you want to substitute Cipro for one of these other drugs Cipro is in the same drug class as Levofloxacin. Levofloxacin will have the similar side effect though. Strep group B is the problem allthough it depends on if the prostate sample was collected sterilily such as a biopsy. If so then the virudans strep could also be the problem and viridans strep are more resistant to antibiotics. But I would check with your doctor on this and see if the Strep group B and Viridans strep were sensitive to Levoflaxacin. If they are it may be a suitable substitute. Why do you want to stop the Ciprofloxacin or switch? Do you have another problem you want to treat in addition to the urinary tract  infection and prostate or is the cipro not working? Have you finished the course of antibiotics? Is it making you sick?

Good luck.
mkh9

[Lostinasia]

Thank you for the comment. The infection is in my urethra and prostate.

I was given Cipro, while it was not one of the drugs listed on the sensitivity test. Hence, my question, poorly asked. Is Cipro interchangable with any of the drugs on the sensitivity test listed below. benzoyl penicillin, ampicillin,cefotaximine, levofloxin and vancomycin.

[luqih]

sent you a PM

[mkh9]

Hi what part of the body is infected? Usually, Strep. viridans is normal oral, and skin flora (bacteria) and doesn't cause problems unless you have it in a sterile body site such as blood, body fluids (joint fluid ) etc. The strep group B can be found as a sore throat or a normal vaginal flora (except when you are pregnant it can cause problems for the baby) and sterile body sites or wounds. Strep group B may or may not cause a sore throat. If it does it isn't serious but sometimes they treat you for it because of the pain. I'm sorry I don't understand which two drugs you are talking about taking? I see you are going to take ciprofloxacin and which of the others on this list? the ones you listed are not in the same antibiotic class as cipro. If you take any more drugs take some probiotics with it (10 billion colonies) that have a variety of bacteria in them. Let me know if you have any more questions.