We respect your privacy. All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story. Good news: You might be able to shorten the time you take antibiotics. For decades, doctors have advised patients to take the drugs for at least a week or two, even if they feel better after just a few days. But a new study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that, in some cases, a shorter course of antibiotics works just as well—and is safer. In the study, published July 25 in JAMA Internal Medicine, Spanish researchers examined the use of antibiotics in adults who had bacterial pneumonia severe enough to require hospitalization.
Ten days after the start of treatment, researchers found that patients who stopped the drugs early were faring just as well as those who kept taking them; after a month, the vast majority of both groups had recovered. In fact, only 1. Previous research has shown that a short course of treatment also works well against mild-to-moderate cases of pneumonia in patients treated outside the hospital.
Those studies are summarized in the table below. Antibiotics can be life-saving drugs, but there are good reasons not to take the powerful germ killers longer than you have to. Healthcare providers have traditionally prescribed longer courses of antibiotics to be extra sure to wipe out all the disease-causing germs. But as scientific understanding has evolved, it's become clear that the drugs affect not only the bacteria that caused the infection, but also the complex ecosystem of trillions of other bacteria inhabiting the human body.
And you can also pass those resistant bacteria along to the people around you. Of course, undertreating an infection also has consequences as surviving bacteria can multiply and make you even sicker than you were to begin with.
The vast majority of these bacteria, called our microbiome , are good for us; they help us digest food and support the immune system. But antibiotics act indiscriminately, killing any bacteria they can find, even good ones.
This indiscriminate killing causes some complications, as harmful bacteria may take over parts of our bodies vacated by the bacteria the antibiotic killed.
Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial pneumonia. Which antibiotic is prescribed is based on the type of bacteria, your age, health history, and more. You will often take the antibiotics for five to seven days. Completing the full course is important. Side effects may occur, which you should report to your doctor. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.
Viral pneumonia: etiologies and treatment. Journal of Investigative Medicine. Viral pneumonia. Updated July 2, National Library of Medicine. Pneumonia Pneumonia Symptoms Signs of Pneumonia.
Updated July 29, Centers for Disease Control. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine information statement. Updated October 30, Community-acquired pneumonia requiring hospitalization among U. N Engl J Med. Diagnosis and treatment of adults with community-acquired pneumonia. Overview of community-acquired pneumonia in adults.
Updated July The management of community-acquired pneumonia in infants and children older than 3 months of age: clinical practice guidelines by the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
Clin Infect Dis. Updated July 28, Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents.
GI upset usually goes away after you stop treatment. Also, call your doctor if you develop:. Antibiotics are most effective when used appropriately. This starts with ensuring that you really need the antibiotic.
Only use antibiotics prescribed by your doctor for a bacterial infection. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the best way to take your antibiotic. Some should be taken with food to reduce side effects but others need to be taken on an empty stomach. Antibiotics should also be taken in the prescribed amount and for the directed length of treatment. You might feel better within a few days after starting the antibiotic but you should talk with your healthcare provider before stopping your treatment early.
Are you taking antibiotics and wondering if you can drink alcohol? Mixing alcohol and certain antibiotics can cause severe nausea, vomiting, and…. If you've ever been prescribed antibiotics, you've likely been told that it may make your birth control less effective. Here's what the research says. Experts say some antibiotics can kill healthy gut bacteria. They recommend people eat yogurt and other fermented foods while taking the medications. Learn about the antibiotic tetracycline, including how it affects the teeth and what you can do about it.
Sensitivity analysis, or susceptibility testing, helps doctors figure out treatment for infections and if they are resistant to antibiotics. If you miss a dose of antibiotics, take it as soon as you remember. Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt contain calcium. When calcium comes into contact with doxycycline, it triggers a chemical reaction that….
Should you drink alcohol while taking the popular antibiotic doxycycline? What will happen if you do? Get answers to these and other questions about….
Learn about all the potential side effects…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Mental Health. How Do Antibiotics Work? Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. How do antibiotics work against bacteria? How long do antibiotics take to work? What are antibiotics made of? What is antibiotic resistance? What are antibiotics used to treat?
0コメント