Evaluation and Management of Infectious Disease

This module introduces you to infectious disease concepts and antibiotic pharmacology. Using the WBC differential, you'll learn to distinguish bacterial from viral infections, then explore the structural differences between human and bacterial cells that make antibiotic targeting possible. From there, the three core mechanisms of antibiotic action are covered — cell wall destruction (beta-lactams, polypeptides), protein synthesis inhibition (aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, macrolides), and DNA replication blockade (folate antagonists, quinolones) — followed by a three-step clinical framework for antibiotic selection: identifying the likely organism, assessing resistance risk, and applying evidence-based guidelines.