Français Frequently Asked Questions
My husband was recently sick with a throat infection and he didn't take all of his antibiotics. My throat is really sore, can I take the rest of his pills?
No matter how sick you may be, you should never take someone else's leftover pills. You may not have the same illness as your husband had. It's important to know that specific antibiotics are effective against specific bacteria, so you shouldn't assume that your husband's pills (or some of your own leftover pills from another illness) will work. Besides, you may have a sore throat that is caused by a virus, which means that it won't get better if you take antibiotics.
Often, sore throats (without a fever) can signal the start of a cold or flu. You may feel better if you gargle with a solution of warm salt water, if you sip juice or soup, or if you suck on throat lozenges.
If your throat is very painful and you have a high fever that persists, you should see a doctor. Your doctor will examine you and decide if you need to take an antibiotic to get better. It's best to let your doctor decide if you need an antibiotic because he or she will know which antibiotic is the best one to treat your illness. If your doctor does prescribe an antibiotic, follow the instructions carefully. Antibiotics should always be finished unless directed by a physician to stop and then the remaining medication should be discarded.