How Long Does it Take For Antibiotics to Work?

A urinary tract infection (UTI), pneumonia, or another bacterial infection can be cured with antibiotics. Despite this, not all conditions improved as quickly as others when treated with antibiotics. Pain can sometimes make it seem like an antibiotic is taking longer than expected to work. 

I will describe the different types of antibiotics and the conditions they treat in this article. You'll also learn how long most antibiotics take to work and where you can fill a prescription.

What Are Antibiotics Used For?

Infections caused by bacteria are cured with antibiotics. By destroying bacteria and preventing their reproduction, they work. Viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics, which are only effective against certain bacterial infections.

Your doctor may prescribe oral, topical, or intravenous antibiotics for various bacterial infections.

• Acne problems
  
  
• coli
  
  
• Meningitis
  
  
• Pneumonia
  
  
• Sepsis
  
  
• Skin infections
  
  
• Strep throat
  
  
• Tooth infection
  
  
• Urinary tract infections
  
  
• Whooping cough

Antibiotics can be life-saving when you have a severe illness such as bacterial meningitis or sepsis or if you are immunocompromised or receiving chemotherapy.

What Are Some Common Antibiotics?

There are many types of antibiotics.

The following are some of the significant common antibiotic groups:

• Many conditions, including urinary and respiratory tract infections, can be treated with penicillins and penicillin-based antibiotics. A penicillin-class antibiotic is amoxicillin.
  
  
• Common conditions treated with tetracyclines include acne, skin infections, tick-borne illnesses, and respiratory infections.
  
  
• The cephalosporin family of antibiotics treats many infections, including ear infections, pneumonia, and meningitis.
  
  
• Macrolides commonly treat pneumonia, STDs, and other infections in people allergic to penicillin. Macrolide antibiotics include clindamycin and azithromycin.
  
  
• Infections of the skin, sinuses, joints and urinary tract can be treated with fluoroquinolone antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin. Fluoroquinolones can, however, interact with several common medications and have serious side effects.
  
  
• Sulfonamides: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, sold as Bactrim or Septra, is the most commonly prescribed sulfonamide. UTIs and skin infections are often treated with sulfonamides, which stop or slow the growth of bacteria.

How Long Do Antibiotics Take to Work?

Several factors affect how long an antibiotic takes to clear an infection, including the treated condition and the antibiotic you've been prescribed.

It can take several days for you to begin feeling the effects of antibiotics, even though they begin working immediately. The optimal duration of antibiotic treatment still needs to be studied and, therefore, not standardized.

Until recently, longer antibiotic courses were thought to prevent antibiotic resistance, but a new study suggests the opposite. Studies suggest that shorter antibiotic treatments for certain conditions may be just as effective at clearing infections and preventing the development of resistant bacteria.

This was particularly true for treating children with strep throat, cellulitis, and pneumonia.

Take your antibiotics even if they are not working. You must finish the entire course of antibiotics your doctor or pharmacist prescribes. Talk to your doctor if you don't feel better.

How Do You Get Antibiotics?

To obtain oral antibiotics in the United States, you need a prescription from a medical professional. It may be necessary for the provider to run additional tests to determine which antibiotic medicine is appropriate for you based on your symptoms and medical history. Buying prescription medications online is also convenient and safe.

You'll still need to speak with a licensed healthcare provider to get a prescription for the correct antibiotic. However, you don't need to see them in person. In many telehealth platforms, including the K Health app, you can speak with a provider online to discuss your symptoms and get an antibiotic prescription if needed. Licensed online pharmacies and some telehealth platforms offer antibiotics once you have a prescription.

When To See A Doctor

Talk to your provider if you think you have signs or symptoms of a bacterial infection.

You can ask them whether an antibiotic prescription is right for you and how long the infection will take to clear. Feeling better starts as soon as you receive the appropriate treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can You Tell If Antibiotics Are Working?

Antibiotics can't be tested to see if they work. While antibiotics begin working as soon as you take them, you may not feel the effects for several days afterwards. Your symptoms should improve (or disappear completely) by the end of your recommended course.

What Is Antibiotic Resistance?

For bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics, they must find a way to survive the drugs designed to kill them. Your body cannot become resistant to antibiotics. The issue of antibiotic resistance is a growing problem nationally and internationally, with some bacteria exhibiting resistance to the most potent antibiotics.

Can You Make Antibiotics Work Faster?

Antibiotics cannot be made to work faster. No matter what your condition is or what antibiotic you are taking, always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions.

How Mobi Doctor Can Help

Mobi Doctor offers online urgent care.