HealthAugust 26, 2026

azithromycin

az-ih-THRO-muh-sin

Definition

A specific type of antibiotic medication used to treat bacterial infections, which is ineffective against viral illnesses like H1N1.

Etymology

The name is a portmanteau derived from aza- (the chemical prefix for a nitrogen atom) and erythromycin, the related class of macrolide antibiotics from which it was developed.

In the news

The article explicitly lists azithromycin as an antibiotic that should not be used for self-medication during an H1N1 flu outbreak, as it cannot kill viruses.

IMA issues public health advisory on H1N1 influenza spread in country; says no cause for panic, just heightened vigilance required | Akashvani News

Read the full article ↗

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