Should I be worried about this? I went to the doctor this morning to get checked out for cold/flu symptoms; I didn't think it was serious -- I just wanted to check that I didn't have H1N1, but the doctor told me that the treatment I'd been getting for prostatitis was "highly unusual for someone in their 20s", and he said I should immediately stop taking the antibiotic I'm on (Septra/Bactrim) because I might be having an allergic reaction to it, or possibly an autoimmune reaction. [more inside]
posted by suncoursing on Sep 5, 2009 - 21 answers

Recommend an excellent, comprehensive book on the history of antibiotics? [more inside]
posted by inoculatedcities on Aug 21, 2009 - 6 answers

Questions about C. difficile (and dealing with illness). [more inside]
posted by futureisunwritten on Aug 8, 2009 - 11 answers

Which doctor should I believe? [more inside]
posted by sarahj on Jul 16, 2009 - 8 answers

Woke up Tuesday morning with a killer sore throat, swollen lymph nodes making it painful to swallow and a low-grade fever. A doc visit this afternoon confirmed I've got some sorta creeping crud and I was given a prescription of antibiotics, (Amoxicillin tablets 875mg). Can someone describe in detail what exactly happens when I take the stuff, maybe in a timeline format? How does it wipe out the baddies exactly (i.e. what mechanisms does it use to kill off the bugs?) [more inside]
posted by captnkurt on May 13, 2009 - 8 answers

MediFilter: Should I take the antibiotics for my staph infection, even though it's getting better? [more inside]
posted by nzero on Apr 16, 2009 - 39 answers

Why am I occasionally getting coughing/breathing problems still when swimming after a 2 week course of antibiotics for a chest infection 2 months ago? ( I am very fit). [more inside]
posted by lndl on Apr 8, 2009 - 24 answers

How do you fix a stomach blitzed by antibiotics? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 6, 2009 - 10 answers

How do I heal my gut? [more inside]
posted by missuswayne on Mar 20, 2009 - 15 answers

For an outer ear infection, how do I get the medication drops safely past the pus to the infected ear canal? [more inside]
posted by high0nfire on Oct 15, 2008 - 10 answers

I'm recovering from a bout of pneumonia for which I was prescribed a 5-day course of Azithromycin. I'm feeling much better, but I'm bothered by tinnitus. Googling has revealed that my antibiotic may have cause this. If so, will it go away eventually and/or is there anything specific I can do to help it go away? I really don't want to - and can't afford to - pay for another doctor visit if this is something that will go away on its own. [more inside]
posted by amyms on Oct 2, 2008 - 10 answers

What are the lesser known dangers of penicillin that the pharmaceutical companies don't want you to know? [more inside]
posted by saxamo on Oct 2, 2008 - 21 answers

Has anyone prone to yeast infections been able to protect themselves while taking antibiotics? I want to start taking antibiotics (doxycycline) to treat my acne. It's my last resort. However, I am extremely prone to yeast infections. Will taking acidophilus supplements be enough? How much to take? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 23, 2008 - 19 answers

Husband diagnosed with long-term staph infection. Is this MRSA? And should/can I get tested to see if I have it too? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 8, 2008 - 4 answers

Should I risk taking these antibiotics for my abscess or just wait a few more days? [more inside]
posted by grablife365 on Jun 3, 2008 - 19 answers

Antibiotics+alcohol+birth control=? [more inside]
posted by ad4pt on Mar 29, 2008 - 12 answers

Does my cat have a chronic respiratory infection, or is it possible she just naturally has poor breathing passages? Ever since my partner and I adopted her and her sister in August she has had periodic coughing and hacking fits that have been relatively unaffected by three separate rounds of antibiotics. Now I wonder if maybe she just has the equivalent of a deviated septum, or whether it's time for hospitalization. [more inside]
posted by schroedinger on Dec 13, 2007 - 13 answers

Cipro or Christmas Tree causing the Red Itchies? [more inside]
posted by dancinglamb on Dec 5, 2007 - 10 answers

Is it possible that sulfa residue in food is causing my daily asthma/allergy symptoms? In a nutshell: extremely allergic to sulfa antibiotics, moved to US about 11 years ago after being raised eating mainly food grown nearby or by neighbors, began having asthma/chronic cough issues shortly thereafter. Batteries of allergy tests have never been able to ID the trigger. Recently realized that sulfa is one of antibiotics that farmers here feed livestock as if it were some kind of candy. [more inside]
posted by bloggerwench on Dec 5, 2007 - 20 answers

I have two cats, both with a mild respiratory infection, and the drugs the vet gave us aren't making much sense to us. Can anyone help explain? [more inside]
posted by Braeog on Sep 19, 2007 - 8 answers

OK, I've been relatively tired and achy all the time, but all at once... [more inside]
posted by wafaa on Sep 14, 2007 - 16 answers

Tooth abscess and antibiotics question [more inside]
posted by A189Nut on Sep 5, 2007 - 16 answers

Is there anything really wrong with (moderate? binge?) drinking while taking a course of antibiotics... or is my (frequently preachy, moralizing, unctuous, underfunded, dodgy-quality) free clinic just trying to pull one over on me? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 17, 2007 - 17 answers

Should I load my body with antibiotics for three weeks? [more inside]
posted by bash on Jun 28, 2007 - 29 answers

Has anyone else had severe allergic reactions (e.g., hives, anaphylaxis) to antibiotics, and what did you do if you actually needed it? [more inside]
posted by ForeverAKid on May 7, 2007 - 10 answers

BackInTime Filter: If I could go back in time to pre-antibiotics, and I caught "consumption" (TB), is there anything I could do to treat it, given my 21st century knowledge? [more inside]
posted by media_itoku on Jan 25, 2007 - 25 answers

Last Thursday I was diagnosed with the flu. Sunday I was diagnosed with a sinus infection. Today is Monday and I do not feel even the slightest bit better. Help! [more inside]
posted by Brittanie on Jan 22, 2007 - 14 answers

How long does it take before Levaquin leaves your system? [more inside]
posted by peep on Dec 23, 2006 - 8 answers

Doxycycline used for eye surface repair: Safe? Worth it? [more inside]
posted by blahtsk on Dec 15, 2006 - 12 answers

What will happen if I take 3 out of 10 ten days worth of antibiotics? [more inside]
posted by rglass on Oct 12, 2006 - 27 answers

Topical antibiotics for sinus/throat infections? [more inside]
posted by treepour on Sep 20, 2006 - 10 answers

Doctor at the clinic said I don't have strep throat, but I'm not convinced. What else could this be? Should I take antibiotics? Other ways to fight strep? [more inside]
posted by poweredbybeard on Jul 31, 2006 - 21 answers

Problem with UK dentist? prescribing drugs without seeing you. Need legal advice. [more inside]
posted by spinko on Apr 26, 2006 - 10 answers

Is it safe to perform oral sex on someone who is taking antibiotics (NOT for an STI)? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 27, 2006 - 17 answers

What is the real-world probability of my getting pregnant while taking antibiotics and oral contraceptives? [more inside]
posted by fuzzbean on Jan 13, 2006 - 15 answers

Tonsillitis - I'd like some advice from anyone who has had tonsillitis as an adult - how was it treated, antibiotics or the knife? [more inside]
posted by Catch on Oct 25, 2005 - 20 answers

For the past few days, I've been taking some penicillin (500 MG) to treat a sinus infection. While it's not doing much for the infection, it's done wonders for my complexion--My face is probably the best it's looked, ever. What I'm wondering is if I could continue to take penicillin (perhaps in a lower dosage) while also taking a pro-biotic supplement to help balance out the negative effects and remain healthy. If the answer is a flat no, might any of the topical antibiotic acne medications work as well?
posted by incomple on Jul 7, 2005 - 13 answers

Medical question: How dangerous is taking unprescribed antibiotics? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 21, 2005 - 26 answers

coming off an antibiotic jag ... [more inside]
posted by crunchland on Mar 8, 2004 - 11 answers