Spring has sprung, which means that warmer days are ahead! That means less sickness, right? Well, not necessarily.

Our team at AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga wants you to know that if illness does strike you this spring, our medical team is here to help!

But that might not necessarily mean you’ll leave our office with an antibiotic.

How Do I Know If I Have a Bacterial Infection or a Viral Infection?

A doctor can help determine whether your illness is of a viral or bacterial nature.

While bacteria is a one-celled microscopic organism that can be found anywhere, including throughout our bodies, a virus needs a host in order to thrive and replicate.

Antibiotics are effective in treating bacterial infections, but they are not an effective treatment of viral infections. That’s why you may not always be prescribed an antibiotic for your illness—doing so would contribute to antibiotic misuse.

Types of Bacterial Infections

• Salmonella
• Escherichia coli (E. coli)
• Tuberculosis
• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
• Clostridium difficile (C. diff)
• Bacterial pneumonia
• Bacterial vaginosis
• Vibrio vulnificus
• Heliobacter pylori (H. pylori)
• Bacterial meningitis i

Will an Antibiotic Help My Infection?

If you have a bacterial infection, then an antibiotic could be helpful. However, with a virus, it is better to just let it run its course, treating the symptoms.

Do not worry if the illness you are suffering from can’t be treated with an antibiotic. While it might take longer to move through your system, there are other treatment methods that can be helpful in getting you feeling as good as new!

Other Treatment Methods

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Gargle warm salt water if suffering from a sore throat.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Try over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Use a humidifier if experiencing congestion.

Feeling under the weather but aren’t sure whether an antibiotic can help? Visit the AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team today.