Erythromycin, << ih `rihth` roh MY sihn, >> is an antibiotic used to treat scarlet fever, strep throat, and many other bacterial infections. Erythromycin is also effective against Legionnaires’ disease and certain other types of pneumonia (see Legionnaires’ disease ). Many of these infections are more commonly treated with one of the penicillins, but erythromycin is useful for patients who are allergic to penicillins. Erythromycin fights bacteria by blocking the process by which they produce proteins. This blockage prevents the bacteria from multiplying, and the body eventually destroys them. Erythromycin was discovered in 1952. It is a relatively safe drug that seldom causes serious side effects. See also Antibiotic .
