Antibiotics for Lung Conditions
Antibiotics are medicines that fight bacterial infections by working to kill bacteria and preventing their ability to grow and multiply. They are often used to treat bacterial lung conditions.
This range of powerful drugs is used to treat diseases caused by bacteria when the immune system cannot fend off an infection on its own. Antibiotics cannot treat viral infections, such as cold, flu and most coughs which tend to be viral in nature. Knowing whether an infection is bacterial or viral helps to treat it effectively.
Primary care physicians and pulmonologists, or lung specialists, may prescribe antibiotics to address lung diseases or conditions.
Different antibiotics work in different ways. Some are focused on killing bacteria while others work to prevent bacteria from multiplying.
Antibiotics can be administered:
- Orally (by mouth). This could be pills, capsules or liquids.
- Topically. This might be a cream, spray or ointment that you put on your skin.
- Through an injection or intravenously (IV). This is usually for more serious infections.
Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial lung infections, such as bacterial pneumonia, and can be part of the management of other lung conditions such as chronic bronchitis. When a person is taking antibiotics, their physician may encourage additional treatments to help improve symptoms. They should:
- Drink fluids
- Get plenty of rest
- Use a humidifier
- Avoid cigarette smoke and other pollutants
- Take aspirin, acetaminophen, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen
- Use bronchodilator inhalers
What to Expect When Using Antibiotics
Most antibiotics start working within a few hours, but it may take a few days before feeling better or seeing improved symptoms. Depending on the type and severity of infection, antibiotics can work differently in individual patients.
A typical course of antibiotics lasts between 5 days and 2 weeks.
When taking an antibiotic:
- Take the medication at the same time or set times each day to the best of your ability.
- Plan to complete the whole course of medication to prevent the return of the infection.
- Do not stop the medication before the course has finished as this increases the risk that the bacteria will become resistant to future treatments.
- Avoid using alcohol.
- Avoid dairy products with some antibiotics.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing to take the best and safest antibiotic.
- Discuss with your doctor any other medicines or herbal remedies you are taking to avoid any harmful interactions.
What to Expect After Using Antibiotics
You should expect to feel better after treatment with antibiotics. A doctor can prescribe a broad-spectrum antibiotic to treat a wide range of infections, or a narrow-spectrum antibiotic to target a few types of bacteria.
Antibiotics can help treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms that worsen with respiratory infections. A doctor will decide if a patient can benefit from an antibiotic under these circumstances.
Take Antibiotics Only When Needed
Only take antibiotics when they are needed because they can cause side effects and can contribute to antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance happens when the bacteria change and become able to resist the effects of an antibiotic. This means that the bacteria continue to grow.
Side Effects of Antibiotics
Antibiotics may cause the following common side effects:
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rash
- Fungal infections of the mouth, digestive tract, and vagina with certain antibiotics and prolonged use
Allergic Reaction to Antibiotics
Some people will have adverse effects of antibiotics. In rare cases, anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, can be life-threatening. Typical adverse reactions include:
- Hives
- Swelling of the face or mouth
- Wheezing
- Fast, shallow breathing
- A fast heart rate
- Clammy skin
- Anxiety or confusion
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Blue or white lips
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
Contact your health care provider immediately if you experience any side effects while taking antibiotics for lung conditions.