Antibiotics (Medicine) When You Need Them, When You Don’t, And What To Take When You Don’t

The other day I went to the doctor, thought maybe I had the flu but I tested negative for the flu, the doctor said I most likely have a bad respiratory infection, even though I felt terrible yesterday and still do today. I was told there was really no antibiotic in this case that would really help me.They gave me a paper and told me some information that helped me out and clears some things up that could be of help to me in the future, or to you now.

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Antibiotics: When You Need Them, When You Don’t, And What To Take When You Don’t

Viral: Make an appointment to see your doctor if you do not feel better or feel worse after a few days.
Bacterial: Make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible.

Bronchitis (Cough, clear or green mucus, no or low fever 100F to 101F, occasional wheezing, chest soreness, short of breath)  Viral & Rarely Bacterial

Common Cold “Upper Respiratory Infection”  (A runny nose, nasal stuffiness and congestion, Facial pressure, cough, chills, body aches, low fever 100F to 101F, scratchy throat, sneezing, headache, watery eyes, tiredness)  Viral 

Ear Infection (Ear pain; red, bulging eardrum; fever around 100F. Discharge from ear, fluid may collect in inner ear causing feeling of fullness in ears, muffled hearing)  Viral & Bacterial

Pneumonia (Cough, shortness of breath, fever around 100F, chest pain when taking a deep breath, tiredness, bluish lips from low oxygen in the blood) Viral & Bacterial 

Sore Throat (throat burning or pain, hard to swallow, symptoms of a cold may also be present) Viral

Strep Throat (sore throat, fever around 100F to 102F, white patches on tonsils, enlarged lymph nodes, upset stomach, usually no cough, runny nose, or diarrhea)  Bacterial

For illness caused by a Virus

There are many OTC (over the counter) medicines and things that you can do at home to improve your symptoms and make your feel better.

OTC MEDICINES: Ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen can lower fever and relieve pain (sore throat, body aches, and sinus pain)

Throat Lozenges and sprays can ease throat pain and irritation.

Decongestants, such as Sudafed* and Sudafed PE*, help relieve a stuffy nose and sinuses.

If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, ask your doctor or pharmacist about safe decongestant choices for you.

Mucolytics and antitussives, found in Mucinex DM or Robitussin DM, can thin and loosen chest congestion and reduce coughing.

Saline nasal sprays or nasal saline irrigation (simply saline, neilmed sinus relief) can  “unstuff” and soothe your noise.

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HOME REMEDIES

Cool mist humidifiers may be useful to moisten the air and make it more comfortable to breathe so you can rest and sleep.

A warm mist vaporizer, especially with medicated inhalant, may relieve chest congestion and cough.

Liquids (water, juice, soups, tea) thin mucus and may help you feel less congested. Drink liquids without alot of caffeine.

***** TRY TO RELAX, REST AND GET PLENTY OF SLEEP!  *****

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