Youre feeling miserable and all you want is a quick fix. Why cant you just get an antibiotic and be done with your suffering? Well, its not that simple. It turns out the decision of whether or not to prescribe antibiotics can be tricky especially if the flu is involved. Unfortunately, its not an exact science. That said, there are some standard guidelines most physicians consider before they take out their prescription pad.
Youre burning up. Forehead-burning fevers, teeth chattering chills, along those awful shakes, are standard symptoms of a viral flu, and they dont necessarily indicate a need for antibiotics. Thats because viral illnesses cannot be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics work only on bacterial infections. If the flu is full blown in your area and your symptoms match those of your neighbors, friends, colleagues and family, chances are your doctor will recommend that you stay in bed and drink plenty of liquids. However, there is a slim chance that the viral infection led to a bacterial infection like a strep throat. Time will tell. Meanwhile, get that bed rest.
If that flu has been lingering. Well, it might have turned into another problem like a sinus infection which is bacterial and does merit an antibiotic. Still, a run-of-the-mill flu can also hang around. Theres another way to tell
The color of your mucus. Viral nasal secretions are watery and clear. If your mucus is green or yellow and thick and sticky, well, this could be a sign of a bacterial infection. But its not a sure-fire sign either -- viral mucus can also be green.
