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How Long Antibiotics Need To Be Taken For Swollen Tonsils And Throat Pain?
Question: i i have throat pain and swelled tonsils with fever around 100 - 101 degree F , had taken cefixime 200 mg twice a day for 2 days along with paracetamol tablets, but still throat pain persists. so can i change the antibiotic. or how many more days I have to take the same antibiotic to get cured. whether Azithromycin 500 is a better drug compared to cefixime 200 mg?
Brief Answer:
It should be taken for 5 to 7 days.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for asking HCM.
I have gone through your query. For viral infection antibiotics are not needed and it will last for 5 to 7 days. Only symptomatic treatment is necessary. You can do warm saline gargle, take tea with lemon and honey , warm chicken soup etc. Taking chewable vitamin C is also helpful.
But in case there is secondary bacterial infection antibiotics can be taken. Yellowish and thick sputum is a sign of this. Antibiotic should be at least taken for five days. Cefixime is a third generation cephalosporin and is a broad spectrum antibiotic. So there is no need to go for azithromycin. Cefixime covers more pathogens than azithromycin also.
Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.
It should be taken for 5 to 7 days.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for asking HCM.
I have gone through your query. For viral infection antibiotics are not needed and it will last for 5 to 7 days. Only symptomatic treatment is necessary. You can do warm saline gargle, take tea with lemon and honey , warm chicken soup etc. Taking chewable vitamin C is also helpful.
But in case there is secondary bacterial infection antibiotics can be taken. Yellowish and thick sputum is a sign of this. Antibiotic should be at least taken for five days. Cefixime is a third generation cephalosporin and is a broad spectrum antibiotic. So there is no need to go for azithromycin. Cefixime covers more pathogens than azithromycin also.
Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks Doc! actually my doc asked me to take this antibiotic for 4 days only. but if I am not cured, shall I continue for more days, in that case how many more days shall I take ? one more thing need to be mentioned - one of my eyes have been swollen for more than 3 days with redness - doc has given me an eye drop - gentamicin. that too I have taken for 2 days, but eyes have not improved. please advise. thanks
Brief Answer:
If not cured should be continued for 5 to 7 days.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.
Thank you for your follow up.
If not cured antibiotic should be continued for 5 to 7 days. But in case any increasing in symptoms or pain you should consult your doctor to rule out any possibility of complications like abscess.
Eye drops also should be continued for 5 days. Rinsing eye with cold water will be helpful in relieving swelling also.
Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.
If not cured should be continued for 5 to 7 days.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.
Thank you for your follow up.
If not cured antibiotic should be continued for 5 to 7 days. But in case any increasing in symptoms or pain you should consult your doctor to rule out any possibility of complications like abscess.
Eye drops also should be continued for 5 days. Rinsing eye with cold water will be helpful in relieving swelling also.
Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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