What do you do when antibiotics are necessary?
Sometimes supportive and self-care are not enough to fight an infection. There are times when you will need to take antibiotics when you have a bacterial infection. Examples of such infections are bacterial pneumonia and primary Lyme disease. Antibiotics help to kill the bacteria so that you recover. When you are taking this medicine, there are a few things you want to do to ensure that you feel your best and recover as quickly as possible.
1. Take the Full Prescription
It is important that you take the full amount of pills even if you feel better. Not taking the entire course can also put you at risk for developing antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This can be a very serious and potentially life-threatening infection.
2. Stay Hydrated
Some antibiotics can dehydrate you, so it is important that drink plenty of water. How much you need depends on your general health and your doctor can guide you as to how much you should drink. When you take each dose, you should make sure to drink a full glass to ensure the pill dissolves properly.
3. Eat Fermented Foods or Take a Probiotic Supplement
When you take antibiotics, they do not know the difference between the bad and healthy bacteria in the body. Your body has a variety of healthy bacteria that is important for things like digestive health and optimal immunity. To prevent the death of the good bacteria that your body needs, you can use a probiotic supplement. This will help to prevent some of the problems that can result from the death of the good bacteria, such as diarrhea and stomach problems.
Fermented foods are an excellent source of probiotics. Examples of such foods are yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and miso.
If you cannot eat fermented foods, choose a probiotic supplement that is high quality. Ask your doctor if you have questions. He or she can help you to ensure that it provides the good bacteria that you need to preserve the healthy bacteria. Recent studies have shown that
If you have any other questions about what to do when taking this medicine, talk to your doctor. It is important to follow all prescribing instructions exactly to ensure a proper recovery.