Table of contents:
- Is it fair to have a fever when taking antibiotics?
- Types of antibiotics that cause fever
- Fever while taking antibiotics could be a sign of an allergy
- What to do if you have a fever while taking antibiotics?
- Conditions to watch out for
Antibiotics are drugs that doctors usually prescribe to help the body fight infections caused by bacteria. However, just like any other drug, there are side effects that appear afterward. One of them is fever when taking antibiotics. Maybe you are thinking, is this condition dangerous?
Is it fair to have a fever when taking antibiotics?
Maybe you panicked when you had a fever just after taking antibiotics and thought the medicine your doctor gave you was not suitable. In fact, not all fevers are a bad sign, as is the case with this one.
If you have a fever while taking antibiotics, do not immediately stop treatment. The reason is, the fever that appeared at that time was a natural thing.
In fact, fever can be a good sign, how come? Quoted from MedlinePlus, fever is a sign your body is fighting the bacteria that cause infection.
When you have a fever, it means that your immune system is active. With the help of antibiotics, the function of the body's immune system can work better at killing bacteria, resulting in fever.
Types of antibiotics that cause fever
The types of antibiotics that most often cause fever are:
- sulfonamides
- minocycline
- cefalexin
- beta-lactam
A study published in the Journal of Intensive Care describes how beta-lactam antibiotics can cause fever when used in the treatment of syphilis.
Fever after taking beta-lactam drugs is thought to arise due to the release of toxic substances by the dying spirochetes bacteria.
In other cases, such as the use of the antibiotics minocycline and sulfonamides, fever may result from the body producing a lot of antibodies.
Fever while taking antibiotics could be a sign of an allergy
Besides indicating that the medicine is working well, you can suspect fever as a symptom of an allergy.
If your body is not compatible with a certain type of antibiotic drug, then you must immediately consult a doctor to get other treatment that is more suitable.
What to do if you have a fever while taking antibiotics?
If you have a fever after taking antibiotics, don't worry. Usually, the fever will go away on its own.
Try to continue taking antibiotics according to the dosage recommended by your doctor. If you stop or skip the appropriate dose, you will likely develop bacterial resistance and this can lead to re-infection.
A fever on antibiotics that doesn't get better after 24 to 48 hours requires special attention. If this happens, consult a doctor immediately. Usually, the doctor will prescribe a fever-reducing medication such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) or ibuprofen.
Conditions to watch out for
There are several symptoms that you need to watch out for if you have a fever while taking antibiotics.
If you have a fever accompanied by symptoms such as difficulty breathing, hives, and swelling, then you may have an allergic reaction to the antibiotics you are taking. Immediately contact a doctor if these symptoms appear.
Another condition that may occur while you are taking antibiotics is Stevens-Johnson syndrome. This syndrome is a complication of an allergic reaction and is very rare, but can be caused by antibiotic treatment such as beta-lactams and sulfamethoxazole.
The symptoms also resemble an allergic reaction to antibiotics, starting with fever, sore throat, coughing, swelling, and itching. This condition is dangerous and can be fatal.
Make sure you consult your doctor if you experience signs and symptoms that are not normal.
