Antibiotics: Use Them or Not?

If you're sick enough to go to the doctor, you should at least get an antibiotic, right? Not always. There are different types of illnesses, and only a few that antibiotics will effectively treat. Your MedExpress provider may not advise a prescription because of your particular situation.

What are Antibiotics?

Antibiotics treat infections and illnesses that are caused by bacteria. Antibiotics are not effective at treating illnesses caused by a virus.

Bacterial vs. Viral

Common types of bacterial illness include: bacterial bronchitis, pneumonia, strep throat, and bacterial ear infections. Common types of viral illness include the flu or the common cold. Some illnesses, such as pink eye, can be either bacterial or viral.

A bacterial infection sometimes follows the common cold. If you are coughing up thick yellow or green mucus for more than a week, you may have a bacterial infection.

Antibiotic Resistance

If antibiotics are taken too frequently, the body may build up a resistance to them. As a result, the germs grow stronger and become able to repel the antibiotic completely. When this occurs, the antibiotic can no longer treat the bacteria, and more serious treatment may be needed to prevent the illness from getting worse. MedExpress treats viral and bacterial infections 7 Days a Week.

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