When you feel miserable, it’s understandable to want to reach for a solution to feel better as quickly as possible. So, your brain might turn to antibiotics instead of chicken soup and a good night's sleep.
While antibiotics are sometimes the right answer, they're not always the best choice—and in some cases, they can even make things worse.
Antibiotics are specifically designed to treat bacterial infections. Here are some situations where they might be necessary:
- Strep Throat
- Bacterial Pneumonia
- Certain sinus and respiratory infection
However, antibiotics are not effective against viral illnesses, which include:
- Common colds
- COVID-19, RSV, and other respiratory viruses
- Flu
- Most sore throats
When a doctor recognizes your symptoms as viral, steering you away from antibiotics is the right decision for both your short- and long-term health. Using antibiotics when they're not needed can lead to unwanted side effects and contribute to antibiotic resistance, making these medications less effective when you need them. Consider these important points:
Over-Prescription Concerns:
One in three antibiotic prescriptions are not needed. * And they're not only unnecessary, but also possibly dangerous.
Too much exposure to antibiotics gives the bacteria you encounter the ability to work up a resistance to the medication. Avoiding antibiotics when they're not needed helps preserve their power to fight off serious bacterial infections when you do need them.
Potential Reactions:
The last thing you want to deal with is more discomfort on top of your symptoms.
Allergic reactions to antibiotics can develop at any time, even if you've taken the same antibiotic without issues in the past. This is why it’s important to use them only when truly necessary.
When Antibiotics May Be Appropriate:
There are times when antibiotics can help. Keep an eye out for these signs, which might indicate the need for antibiotics:
- Symptoms lasting more than seven days
- A temperature over 102.5°F
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- Persistent sore throat
- Earache
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Chest pain or other concerning symptoms
Remember, at First Stop Health, our doctors are here to support you. If antibiotics aren’t needed, we can prescribe other medications to help manage your symptoms—like cough suppressants, nasal sprays, fever reducers, and decongestants—aimed at helping you feel better.
And if your symptoms aren’t improving after a few days, please don’t hesitate to reach out for a re-evaluation. Your health and well-being are our top priorities!
Prescription options with First Stop Health
FSH doctors can prescribe:
- Antibiotics when the time is right
- Antihistamines
- Maintenance medication refills (on a short-term basis)
It’s also important to note what our doctors do not prescribe, including:
- Anything on the DEA list of controlled substances (ex. opioids)
- Lifestyle medications (ex. Hair loss, ED)
- Diet pills (ex. phentermine)
*Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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If your employer provides you with First Stop Health, you can talk to a doctor 24/7 for diagnosis and treatment of a variety of health issues.
