The antibiotic may not work the next time you take it when you really do need it. Side effects from antibiotics include: Diarrhea.
Nausea, upset stomach, or vomiting. Mouth sores. Skin rash. Increased sensitivity to sun. Vaginal yeast infection. Don't take antibiotics Don't take antibiotics You try home treatment to relieve your cough, such as drinking fluids and using cough drops.
You take over-the-counter medicines to relieve fever and body aches. You may reduce your cough with home treatment. You avoid the cost and side effects of antibiotics. You avoid promoting antibiotic-resistant bacteria. If you have acute bronchitis but no other health problems, choosing not to take antibiotics poses no risk.
If you have acute bronchitis and other health problems such as COPD, asthma, or heart failure, your risk of getting pneumonia is higher if you don't take antibiotics. Personal stories about taking antibiotics for acute bronchitis These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers.
What matters most to you? Reasons to take antibiotics Reasons not to take antibiotics. I just have acute bronchitis. I want to try home treatment to relieve my cough. I'm not worried about the side effects of antibiotics. I don't want to deal with the side effects of antibiotics. I don't want to take antibiotics if I don't really need them. My other important reasons: My other important reasons:. Where are you leaning now? Taking antibiotics NOT taking antibiotics. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts. Yes Sorry, that's not right. Antibiotics kill bacteria or slow or stop their growth. But since acute bronchitis is most often caused by a virus and not by bacteria, antibiotics don't work very well to treat it. No You're right. I'm not sure It may help to go back and read "Get the Facts. But since acute bronchitis is most often caused by a virus, antibiotics aren't the best treatment for it.
Yes You're right. Most cases of acute bronchitis go away in 2 to 3 weeks. No Sorry, that's not right. Home treatment to relieve symptoms is usually all that's needed. Antibiotics may help people who have acute bronchitis and other health problems, such as COPD or asthma.
Antibiotics may be useful in treating people who have acute bronchitis and other health problems, such as COPD or asthma. Taking antibiotics too often or when you don't really need them can be harmful.
The medicine may not work the next time when you really do need it. Decide what's next. Yes No. I'm ready to take action.
I want to discuss the options with others. There are measures you can take to help prevent chest infection and to stop the spread of it to others. For instance, washing your hands regularly reduces the chance of germs getting into your system. You can pass a chest infection on to others through coughing and sneezing. So if you have a chest infection, it's important to cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and to wash your hands regularly.
You should throw away used tissues immediately. The vast majority of URTIs are caused by viral infections. Your immune system will fight these off without any help within a few days.
Because URTIs are caused by viruses rather than bacteria, antibiotics won't help in any way. See the separate leaflet called Antibiotics. Sometimes an infection in the upper airways can spread deeper, causing a chest infection.
Sometimes germs bacteria already living in your lungs can multiply, with the same result. Chest infections are very common, especially during the autumn and winter. They often occur after a cold or flu. Anyone can get a chest infection but they are more common in:. Antibiotic awareness resources: key messages on antibiotic use ; Public Health England.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions. In this series. Chest infections can range from mild to life-threatening.
In this article Chest infection symptoms Treatment of chest infection What can I do to treat my chest infection?
Anyone whose symptoms last longer than 3 weeks should see a doctor. Chest infections may be more common during cold and flu season, when cold weather keeps many people indoors. Tips for preventing chest infections are similar to tips for avoiding colds or the flu.
These tips include:. Although most common chest infections will clear up without treatment, if the infection is particularly severe or symptoms do not begin to ease within 2—3 weeks, it may be time to see a doctor. Some people are more at risk of complications and should see a doctor for any chest infection.
This includes people who:. Doctors may do a physical exam and order other tests to check for different types of infections. They may also take a sample of the sputum the person is coughing up to help them determine the best treatment. They may order other tests as well, such as a plain film X-ray of the chest, to gather more information for a diagnosis. Chest infections are very common and may come on after a bout of the cold or flu.
Usually, the body clears out the infection in a week or two. However, some people may have lingering symptoms for a few weeks as mucus clears out of the lungs. Anyone experiencing severe symptoms or symptoms that last longer than 2—3 weeks should see a doctor. They may run tests to check for other causes of the infection and recommend medical treatments. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining in the bronchial tubes.
In this article, learn about natural remedies and how to cope with symptoms at…. Bacterial pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs as a result of bacteria. Home remedies for chest infection. How long does it take to recover from a chest infection? What are possible complications from a chest infection?
How to prevent a chest infection. The outlook. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Medically reviewed by Graham Rogers, MD.
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