Fighting an infection can feel similar to other illnesses. In addition to the fever, muscle aches and fatigue, you will also probably feel pain at the site of the infection.
If you have a bacterial infection, though, there is good news! It can be treated with a round of antibiotics.
Antibiotics can help relieve your symptoms quickly and will get you on the path to wellness right away! But they don’t work for every infection, so our team at AFC Urgent Care Farragut is filling you in on the details below.
Does Every Infection Benefit From Antibiotics?
Unfortunately, no. Antibiotics are wonderful in tackling bacterial infections, but they are not effective against viral infections. If you have a cold or the flu, taking antibiotics will not help relieve your symptoms.
The tricky thing is that some infections can be either bacterial or viral, like meningitis, pneumonia or ear infections. This is why seeking a medical provider to assess and diagnose your symptoms is crucial to receiving the proper treatment plan.
Infections That Antibiotics Can Treat
- UTI (urinary tract infection)
- Strep throat
- Ear or sinus infections
- Bacterial pneumonias
Can I Tell If I Have a Bacterial or Viral Infection on My Own?
Not really. To get a definitive diagnosis, you’ll need to see a medical professional. But if your symptoms are lingering past 14 days or if you have a persistent fever, that leans more toward a bacterial infection.
When you have a viral infection, like a cold or the flu, your symptoms are also more likely to fade away on their own within a week. In any case, come see us and we can help get to the root of your problem.
Signs That You Have an Infection
- Pain in the area of concern
- Swelling
- Fever
- Muscle aches
If you need help determining what kind of infection you have, come see us at AFC Urgent Care Farragut to see if antibiotics are the treatment for you!
