Editing Broad-spectrum antibiotic (section)

== Empiric antibiotic therapy ==
{{Main|Empiric therapy}}
[[File:Antibiotic chart.svg|thumb|395x395px|Simplified diagram showing common disease-causing bacteria and the antibiotics which act against them.]]
Empiric antibiotic therapy refers to the use of antibiotics to treat a suspected bacterial infection despite lack of a specific bacterial diagnosis. Definitive diagnosis of the species of bacteria often occurs through [[Growth medium|culture]] of blood, sputum, or urine, and can be delayed by 24 to 72 hours.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal | vauthors = Leekha S, Terrell CL, Edson RS | title = General principles of antimicrobial therapy | journal = Mayo Clinic Proceedings | volume = 86 | issue = 2 | pages = 156–67 | date = February 2011 | pmid = 21282489 | pmc = 3031442 | doi = 10.4065/mcp.2010.0639 }}</ref> Antibiotics are generally given ''after'' the culture specimen has been taken from the patient in order to preserve the bacteria in the specimen and ensure accurate diagnosis.<ref name=":1" /> Alternatively, some species may be identified through a urine or stool test.<ref name=":1" />