How long should I take an antibiotic, even if my symptoms have already subsided?
April 15, 2023 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Wilhelm Wunderlich
Dear doctor,
My name is Jonas Lindach and I am writing to you with a question about my current medication. I was prescribed an antibiotic a few days ago as I am suffering from a bacterial infection. After taking it for a few days, I have already noticed that my symptoms such as fever and cough have significantly improved and I overall feel better.
Now I am wondering how long I should continue taking the antibiotic, even if my symptoms have improved. I have heard that it is important to complete the full course of the therapy to ensure that all bacteria are killed off and to prevent a recurrent infection. However, I also have concerns that taking the antibiotic for too long may lead to side effects or resistance.
Could you please explain to me why it is important to complete the full course of the antibiotic, even if the symptoms have improved? Are there any specific signs that indicate I can stop taking the antibiotic? And what are the risks if I stop the antibiotic prematurely?
Thank you in advance for your support and advice.
Best regards,
Jonas Lindach
Dear Mr. Lindach,
Thank you for your question regarding your current antibiotic. I am pleased to hear that your symptoms have significantly improved after a few days of taking the medication and that you are feeling better overall. This is a good sign and indicates that the antibiotic is effective against the bacterial infection.
It is indeed very important to take the antibiotic for the full duration of the therapy, even if the symptoms have already improved. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, completing the full course of the antibiotic ensures that all bacteria are killed. Even if the symptoms have disappeared, there may still be bacteria in the body that could trigger the infection again if not fully treated. By completing the full course of the antibiotic, it is ensured that the infection is completely eradicated from the body.
Another important reason for completing the full course of the antibiotic is to prevent resistance. If bacteria are not completely killed, they can become resistant to the antibiotic. This means that the antibiotic may not be effective in the future if you need it again. Therefore, it is important to adhere to the full duration of the therapy to prevent the development of resistance.
There are no specific signs that indicate you can stop the antibiotic prematurely. Even if your symptoms have improved, you should follow the full course of the therapy as prescribed. Stopping the antibiotic early carries the risk that the infection may not be fully eradicated from the body and could recur. Additionally, premature antibiotic use increases the risk of resistance, as mentioned earlier.
I hope this information has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions or uncertainties, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your trust and I wish you a speedy recovery.
Best regards,
Wilhelm Wunderlich
