Antibiotic Treatment

Antibiotics treat certain bacterial infections and should be taken exactly as prescribed for the diagnosed problem.

They work in different ways: some stop bacteria from multiplying, while others damage the bacteria directly. They do not treat viral illnesses such as most colds and flu. The medicine, dose, and route depend on the infection, the body area involved, allergies, kidney or liver function, pregnancy status, and other medicines.

Some symptoms begin settling after treatment starts, but improvement depends on the infection and how unwell you were at the start. Pain, fever, discharge, or skin redness may take time to ease even when the medicine is working. Contact the prescriber if symptoms are worsening, new symptoms develop, or you do not feel as expected.

Nausea, loose stools, stomach discomfort, and a mild rash can occur. Antibiotics can also alter the usual balance of bacteria in the body, which may lead to thrush or diarrhoea. Seek urgent medical care for trouble breathing, swelling of the lips, face, or tongue, widespread blistering rash, faintness, or severe watery diarrhoea.

The prescribed course is tailored to the infection and the antibiotic selected. Take doses at the stated intervals and finish or change the course only on the prescriber's instruction. Do not save leftover tablets for another illness or share them, because a different illness may need a different assessment and medicine.

Read the dispensing label each time. Some antibiotics need food; others need an empty stomach. Tell the clinician and pharmacist about previous antibiotic reactions, all regular medicines, supplements, and any possibility of pregnancy. If you miss a dose, follow the label or pharmacist's advice rather than taking extra doses together.

A clinician may prescribe antibiotics when an examination and, where useful, testing support a bacterial infection. Examples include cellulitis, chlamydia, and selected eye, throat, urinary, or digestive infections. An earache, sore throat, fever, or painful urination needs an assessment of its cause; symptoms alone do not determine whether an antibiotic is appropriate.

The clinician asks about symptoms, medical history, allergies, and medicines, then examines the affected area when needed. A sample or test may guide the diagnosis, such as a urine test for urinary symptoms or a breath test in selected stomach-related situations. You receive instructions on timing, food, storage, and what to do if a dose is missed.

Continue ordinary activity as you feel able, while following any illness-specific advice. Keep doses evenly spaced when directed, drink fluids if appropriate for your condition, and note changes in symptoms. If the prescriber changes the plan after a result returns, use the updated instructions rather than the original schedule.

Unnecessary or incorrectly used antibiotics can cause side effects and encourage bacteria to become harder to treat. Urgent help is needed for signs of a serious allergic reaction. Speak with the treating team promptly about persistent vomiting, severe diarrhoea, a spreading rash, or infection symptoms that are getting worse instead of improving.

When illness is viral or another non-bacterial cause is more likely, care may focus on rest, fluids, pain or fever relief, and monitoring. Some bacterial infections need a procedure, drainage, or a different medicine instead. The useful alternative is based on the diagnosis, not simply on the symptom that brought you in.

A primary-care clinician can assess many suspected infections and arrange testing when useful. Bring your medicine list and details of any prior reactions. For severe symptoms, rapidly worsening illness, or signs of an allergic reaction, seek urgent medical care.