Am I allergic to penicillin, or experiencing its side effects?

Many people mistake the side effects of penicillin for an allergy to the antibiotic. — TNS

Penicillin belongs to a group of antibiotics used by healthcare professionals to combat a wide array of bacterial infections, including strep throat, ear infections and pneumonia.

It is one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics – and also one of the most frequently reported medication allergies.