Overview
When you have an infection, it can be normal to think you must be prescribed antibiotics. However, this is not always the case. Some infections, such as viral infections and fungal infections, are not treatable by antibiotics and other less serious infections are better left to the body’s natural defences to fight off. Infections can very quickly become resistant to antibiotics, which is why medical professionals must be selective when prescribing them. It is better to only prescribe antibiotics under certain circumstances where it is essential. This ensures that the antibiotic will effectively treat the problem without any kind of resistance having been built up against it.
Further information: When should I receive antibiotics?
Here are some situations where you might get prescribed antibiotics.
- When your infection is bacterial, not viral.
- When your infection is unlikely to clear up on its own, using your body’s own natural defences.
- When your healthcare professional identifies the type of infection as being something that’s easily treatable with antibiotics.
- If you have a health problem that risks leading to more serious complications due to infection.