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QUESTION

Is it true that 48 hours after starting antibiotics, I can't pass on my infection to someone else?

ANSWER

That depends. There are so many types of infections, antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria that the amount of time that you have been on an antibiotic isn't the sole factor physicians use to determine whether an infection is contagious.

Nonetheless, there are certain things we do know. Bacterial infections are the only type of infection treated by antibiotics. Many of these infections - like ear infections and urinary tract infections - can't be passed on to someone else at any point. Patients with one of these non-communicable conditions can return to work or school as soon as they feel well again.

Other bacterial infections, however, including pneumonia and strep throat, can be contagious when droplets are transmitted from one person to another through sneezing and coughing or close contact. The best way to help prevent the spread of infection is good hygiene: Don't share drinks, clothes, towels or lip balms, and the absolute golden rule is wash your hands.

So when are you no longer able to spread your infection to others? The general guideline is to wait until 24 hours after the fever breaks. Keep in mind that each workplace, school or daycare may also have specific recommendations for when it's safe or acceptable to return.

The same advice applies for viral infections such as colds that can be transmitted to others - maintain good hygiene, and minimize contact with others until your symptoms or fever settle down.

It is very important for patients to take their antibiotics until their prescription is finished, even if they feel better after just a couple of days. This gives medication the chance to completely kill the infection to prevent future infections and even the same infection from coming back, to reduce antibiotic resistance and to prevent the bug from spreading to others.

Regardless of what kind of infection you have, if you don't feel well, stay at home, allow your symptoms to improve, your fever to break and your body to recover before returning to work, school or your daily routine.

Dr. Erin Bearss is a physician in Mount Sinai's Schwartz-Reisman Emergency Centre and the Granovsky-Gluskin Family Medicine Centre.