Although it’s not good to take too many medications, sometimes they are necessary. When you have infections, for example, you may need to treat them with antibiotics. The purpose of antibiotics is to quickly kill bacteria and relieve the symptoms of infection. How quickly they work depends on several factors.
So given that infections can make you miserable, let’s learn how long it takes for antibiotics to start working.
How Do Antibiotics Work?
Antibiotics fall under the category of drugs that effectively kill or stop the growth of bacteria. They are effective in treating most infections. However, these medications can’t help you if you have a disease caused by viruses, such as common colds, flu, or coughs.
It’s important that you don’t take antibiotics unless it’s absolutely necessary. Taking unnecessary antibiotics can contribute to antibiotic resistance – a situation in which bacteria develop a resistance to antibiotics, making those antibiotics less effective.
How Long Does It Take for Antibiotics to Start Working?
The time for antibiotics to start working varies depending on the type of bacteria and the type of antibiotics. Most of them, however, start working between 24 and 48 hours after the beginning of treatment.
One thing you can do to help ease the process is to get enough rest, eat healthfully, and relax as much as possible. These things will help your body respond better to antibiotics and may even speed up the process.
When to Call Your Doctor
In most cases, you won’t feel the relief immediately. However, if your symptoms start getting worse after a few days of taking antibiotics, you should contact your doctor. This way, you can prevent unnecessary complications.
The Bottom Line
How long it takes for antibiotics to start working is a common question. Normally, you don’t have to wait or more than a couple of days to get some relief.
