Did you know that prescription antibiotics have been around for less than 100 years? Before that, developing a bacterial infection was incredibly deadly! A third of all deaths back then were attributed to complications due to an infection.
We are so thankful for antibiotics. Nowadays, a quick prescription can have you feeling back to normal in no time. Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Ballantyne shares the details about antibiotics below.
How Fast Do Antibiotics Work in the Body?
Once you have an evaluation by a medical provider and if any testing reveals a bacterial infection, you will most likely be given a prescription to start taking immediately. A typical prescription is between seven to 14 days with one or two pills/doses a day.
Relief may not be immediate, but your symptoms should start to improve within a day or two. It is important to keep taking them until you finish the full prescription, no matter how well you start to feel.
Infections That Commonly Benefit From Antibiotics
- UTI (urinary tract infection)
- Strep throat
- Ear or sinus infections
- Bacterial pneumonias
How Can I Avoid Antibiotic Resistance?
Ever since the first prescription for antibiotics was written, the very bacteria they were developed to tackle have been evolving. The more that antibiotics are prescribed, overused or taken irresponsibly, the more prevalent this issue becomes.
The most important thing to do when you are looking to reduce your contribution to antibiotic resistance is to take your prescription in its entirety, and never use someone else’s or an old prescription left over in your medicine cabinet.
How to Use Your Prescription
- Use them only on bacterial infections as prescribed.
- Only take them if they are prescribed for you.
- Never take someone else’s prescription.
- Take the entire course of antibiotics, even when you start to feel better.
Antibiotics are a great tool when used appropriately! If you think you need a prescription for an infection you have, come see us at AFC Urgent Care Ballantyne.
