Antibiotics

About

Antibiotics are used to treat or prevent some types of bacterial infection. They work by killing bacteria or preventing them from spreading. But they do not work for everything. Many mild bacterial infections get better on their own without using antibiotics. Antibiotics do not work for viral infections such as colds and flu, and most coughs. Antibiotics are no longer routinely used to treat: chest infections ear infections in children sore throats When it comes to antibiotics, take your doctor's advice on whether you need them or not. Antibiotic resistance is a big problem – taking antibiotics when you do not need them can mean they will not work for you in the future. Antibiotics may be used to treat bacterial infections that: are unlikely to clear up without antibiotics could take too long to clear without treatment carry a risk of more serious complications could infect others You may still be infectious after starting a course of antibiotics. Depending on the infection and how it's treated, it can take between 48 hours and 14 days to stop being infectious. Ask a GP or pharmacist for advice. People at a high risk of infection may also be given antibiotics as a precaution, known as antibiotic prophylaxis. Read more about when antibiotics are used and why antibiotics are not routinely used to treat infections. Take antibiotics as directed on the packet or the patient information leaflet that comes with the medicine, or as instructed by your GP or pharmacist. Antibiotics can come as: tablets, capsules or a liquid that you drink – these can be used to treat most types of mild to moderate infections in the body creams, lotions, sprays and drops – these are often used to treat skin infections and eye or ear infections injections – these can be given as an injection or through a drip directly into the blood or muscle, and are used for more serious infections If you forget to take a dose of your antibiotics, check the patient information leaflet that came with your medi