Infection treatment: what works, when, and how to stay safe

Getting an infection is stressful. You want clear steps you can follow now. First, figure out whether it’s likely bacterial, viral, fungal, or just inflammation. Bacterial infections often need antibiotics; viral infections usually don’t. Fungal infections have their own creams or pills. If you can’t tell, your healthcare provider can test and guide treatment.

When to use antibiotics or antivirals

Antibiotics kill or stop bacteria. Use them only when a doctor diagnoses a bacterial infection—like strep throat, certain ear infections, some urinary tract infections, or bacterial pneumonia. Don’t expect antibiotics for a common cold, most sore throats, or the flu. Antivirals, like oseltamivir for flu or valacyclovir for herpes, work best when started early. If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic or antiviral, follow dosing and timing exactly. If symptoms don’t improve in 48–72 hours, call back—treatment may need adjusting.

Don’t keep or share leftover antibiotics. Using partial courses or someone else’s medicine can cause treatment to fail and fuels antibiotic resistance. Resistance makes future infections harder to treat for you and others.

Home care, prevention, and when to see a doctor

Simple steps speed recovery. Rest, drink fluids, and use over-the-counter fever and pain relief (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) if needed. For minor skin infections, clean the area, apply an antiseptic, and cover with a clean bandage. For coughs and chest congestion, steam, warm fluids, and saline nasal rinses help. If you have prescription meds, finish the course unless your clinician tells you otherwise.

Prevention matters: wash hands, keep wounds clean, get recommended vaccines (flu, COVID, tetanus, pneumococcal when advised), and avoid close contact with sick people. For urinary and respiratory infections, small habit changes—like staying hydrated and quitting smoking—cut risk.

Seek urgent care if you see red flags: high fever over 38.5°C (101.3°F) that won’t come down, difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe belly pain, sudden confusion, fainting, or rapidly spreading redness and swelling around a wound. These could be signs of a serious infection or sepsis. For children, infants under 3 months with a fever, or any baby who won’t feed or is unusually sleepy, get medical help fast.

Finally, ask questions. If a provider prescribes medication, ask why, what side effects to expect, how long you’ll be contagious, and when it’s safe to return to work or school. Clear instructions protect you and others—and help the medicine do its job.