At the first sign of fever, many people reach for an antibiotic, often one left over from a previous illness or bought directly from a medical store. In this video, Dr. Dipak Viradia, Chest Physician & Intensivist, explains why fever does not automatically mean you need an antibiotic, and what you should do instead.

Fever is a symptom, not a disease. Fever is the body’s response to an infection or inflammation. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites like malaria, or other conditions. Antibiotics work only against bacteria, so they help in only some fevers.

Most fevers don’t need antibiotics. Common fevers such as viral fever, flu, common cold, dengue and chikungunya are caused by viruses, and malaria is caused by a parasite. Antibiotics do not work against any of these. Taking them anyway can cause side effects, encourage antibiotic resistance, and sometimes hide the real cause, delaying the correct diagnosis.

When antibiotics are needed. Antibiotics are needed when a doctor finds or strongly suspects a bacterial infection, such as pneumonia, typhoid, urinary tract infection, bacterial throat infection, infected wounds, sepsis or tuberculosis. In these cases, timely antibiotics can be life-saving, and should be taken exactly as prescribed.

What to do when you have a fever:

1. Rest and drink plenty of fluids: water, ORS, soups, coconut water.
2. Take paracetamol for fever and body ache, in the correct dose. Avoid painkillers like ibuprofen or aspirin until dengue is ruled out, as they can increase bleeding risk.
3. Use lukewarm sponging if the temperature is high.
4. Don’t start antibiotics on your own, and don’t use leftover tablets.
5. See a doctor if fever lasts more than 2–3 days. Depending on your symptoms, the doctor may advise tests such as a complete blood count, dengue and malaria tests, typhoid test, urine test or chest X-ray to find the cause.

Seek medical help immediately if fever comes with breathlessness, chest pain, severe headache or stiff neck, confusion, persistent vomiting, bleeding, severe stomach pain, reduced urine, or if the patient is a young child, elderly, pregnant, or has diabetes, kidney, heart or lung disease.

Dr. Dipak Viradia
Chest Physician & Intensivist | Interventional Pulmonologist & ECMO Specialist
Rudrax Chest Clinic, 301, Solaris Royce, Opp. Old RTO, Athwagate, Ring Road, Surat – 395001
Appointment: +91 75676 19985
Website: www.drdipakviradia.com