What type of infection is azithromycin primarily used to treat?

Azithromycin is primarily used to treat respiratory tract infections and atypical pneumonia due to its effectiveness against various bacterial pathogens. It belongs to the macrolide class of antibiotics, which works by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria, ultimately leading to their growth inhibition.

For respiratory tract infections, this antibiotic is particularly useful against organisms like Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, which are common causes of conditions such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Moreover, azithromycin is very effective against atypical pathogens like Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae, which can lead to atypical pneumonia, characterized by different clinical features compared to typical bacterial pneumonia.

While azithromycin can have some off-label uses in other types of infections, its primary indications revolve around respiratory issues. Other categories of infections, such as skin infections, urinary tract infections, or viral infections, would generally utilize different classes of antibiotics or antiviral medications tailored to those specific pathogens or conditions.