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3166043 tn?1514260018

What if I don't want to take antibiotics?

So I'm not one to take antibiotics unless needed and my doctor told me I have broncitis on Thursday and gave me a prescription. I haven't gotten it yet cause I wanna see if I can tough it out. If I don't get the meds what's the worst that will happen!? I read that broncitis can go away on its own and most doctors don't give a prescription cause its a virus? Any thoughts? Thanks
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757137 tn?1347196453
Not all doctors are created equal. There is many the doctor who prescribes antibiotics for a viral infection. Yet antibiotics have no effect at all onl viruses.

When I was growing up my parents taught me that if I went to a lawyer, I should know something about law, and that if I went to a doctor, I should know something about medicine. Wise advice.
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Avatar universal
I think that it's best to stick to what the Dr. recommends. I know it can be scary to consume medications because of the chemicals that make it up, but antibiotics have been tested and they have been proven to help.
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4851940 tn?1515694593
Glad to hear that you are now recovered.

I wish my immune system was as good as yours!

Best wishes.
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3166043 tn?1514260018
My broncitis cleared up in a week. Guess I have a good immune system.
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4851940 tn?1515694593
If you don't feel any rattling in your chest and no fever, sounds like you are getting better.

Which is good to know.

Best wishes
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3166043 tn?1514260018
All my phelm and snot is clear. My cough has gotten a bit better. I've been using halls, Vicks vapor rub and lemon and honey.
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4851940 tn?1515694593
The only way to find out if it is a viral or bacterial infection is by having the phlegm analysed by the laboratory.

If you smoke, then stop smoking.

If you have a cough, do not suppress the cough.  Coughing is the body's natural way of getting rid of the irritant, whatever this may be.

Best wishes.s
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1340994 tn?1374193977
Is phlegm yellow/amber or green?  If it's green, I would not take them.  That is usually a virus.  
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4851940 tn?1515694593
The doctor wouldn't have prescribed the antibiotics if you didn't need them.
He also came to conclusion that you have a bacterial infection and need the antibiotic.

The bronchitis could turn into pleurisy or pneumonia.  Pleurisy is very painful when breathing.  You don't have to have a cough with pneumonia and a lot of people do die from it.

If you feel you do not want to take the antibiotics, then stay at home and away from other people.  Keep very warm and do not get chilled.
Do steam inhalations.  A bowl of hot water with Vick or olbas oil and cover your head with a towel over the bowl and breathe the steam in.  Take care not to get scalded.  

You can apply Vick to your chest and also take pain relief as recommended on the packet and also to help reduce any fever.

Drink plenty of warm drinks.

Personally, I would take the antibiotics as prescribed.
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3166043 tn?1514260018
That's exactly why I don't want to take them. The side effects.
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Avatar universal
I am also not a doctor, But As doctor said, Why don't you take medicine. taking medicine is getting rid off disease or sickness.

But as i thought Taking antibiotics can lead to dehydration and diarrhea, which are two of the most common side effects.

I think this might help you  
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1696489 tn?1370821974
I'm no doctor, but i would think that not taking the meds would just cause you to stay sick, maybe not forever, but def longer.  And I don't know what the worst thing could be... death, maybe?  Blessings - Blu
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