Taking antibiotics for fever – How much is considered to be an overdose?
Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 at
9:48 pm
My doctor prescribed antibiotics for fever. Blood or other tests were not performed, so this could have been viral fever. I am concerned about taking antibiotics, as the body(bacteria) may become immune to the antibiotic in the long run. Should I take antibiotics? How much is considered to be overdose and may develop immunity in the body?
Filed under: Alternative Medicine
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Your doctor is trained to know the difference between a virus and a bacterial infection. Testing is costly and often not necessary. ABSOLUTELY finish your meds! One of the MAIN REASONS we have created the "super-bugs" you are worried about is that people don’t finish their antibiotics. If you are following directions, there should be no overdose. As far as immunity to the drug, I wouldn’t worry about it. Take your meds and feel better soon. And if you don’t trust your doctor, maybe you should find a new one.
Most fevers are viral, I thought. I’d skip the drugs, you’re right, they just make worse bugs for the next victim.
antibiotic are needed regularly, no exceptions, the only exception is when you are sick.
If the doc told you to take them do so or consult a new doc.
Antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial infections—not fevers. Tylenol, aspirin and Motrin are used for fevers.
I admit that doctors tend to overprescribe antibiotics. Patients come to the office with symptoms and most expect some sort of prescription. I have a doctor now who told me that they aren’t even using antibiotics as much for bronchitis anymore.
If you have questions call your docs office.
If you’ve already started the antibiotics, it’s important that you finish what you started.
The prescribed dosage on the bottle is not considered an overdose.
Your doc seems to think you had a bacterial infection—so do as he instructs
First of all, bacteria and viruses are two very different things. There are no vaccines to prevent viruses and antibiotics are never perscribed to treat them. The only reason a doctor would perscribe an antibiotic is if there is a chance you may have a bacterial infection.. not a virus.
Secondly, antibiotics are not perscribed for fevers.. a fever is a symptom of an infection NOT the cause of an infection. Antibitoics are perscribed to treat the cause of the infection.
If you have a virus the only thing you can do is let it run it’s course and treat the symptoms. If it’s a bacterial infection the you should take the antibiotics.. the only way to tell is to have your doctor do a culture to identify the cause.
As to developing an immunity or overdosing I am not sure about that, I would call your physician if you have any concerns or your local pharmacy.
Hope you feel better soon!
it is not considered to be an overdose, unless instead of only one tablet, you take two tablets it is really an overdose.
in your case, don’t worry about over dosage, worry about tolerance of your body, you will need a higher dose because bacteria develop immunity not your body. as much as possible don’t use antibiotics just drink plenty of water
to prevent tolerance, complete the regime of your antibiotics.