How long do you remain contagious after beginning antibiotics for a cold?

Question

I have a cold and I began taking penicillin on Monday morning (it is now almost Thursday morning). Am I still contagious and able to spread my cold to others? Or am I ok to kiss my boyfriend? :)

I technically have tonsilitis, not just a common cold.

Answer 1

Most doctors say that if you truly have a bacterial tonsillitis, and you're being treated with an antibiotic, you're usually considered non-contagious after being on the antibiotic for 48 hours. It is said that it usually takes this amount of time for the medication to reach a level in the system to where it has effectively treated the condition to a point where you are no longer considered "contagious." As mentioned already, if you still continue to have a fever or symptoms after that amount of time, there could be a chance you have a viral infection versus a bacterial one, and if that is the case, there is no medication that can take that away at this point. In the case of viral infections, you basically just treat the symptoms. This means if you have fever, you'd take fever reducers or pain medications such as Motrin or Tylenol. If you have a cough, you'd take a cough supressant such as Robitussin, etc. If you no longer have symptoms of fever or pain in your throat, then I would say it's safe to assume that you did, in fact, have a bacterial infection, and your antibiotic is doing a good job of treating your infection, and you're likely not contagious. If, on the other hand, you're still having symptoms, you might have a viral infection, and should still continue taking your antibiotic because 1. you could have a combination of both a bacterial AND viral infection, and 2. you should consider yourself most likely contagious until you are symptom free and fever free. Happy healing! :-)

Answer 2

If you have tonsillitis more than likely you would have already passed the infection to him prior to the antibiotics. He may not be showing symptoms yet though. Usually after 24 hours on an antibiotic, and if you have not had a temp over 98.6 for 24 hours you are not contagious. If you are still running a temp you either need a different antibiotic or it is a viral infection not a bacterial infection, and it will just have to run it's course, antibiotics will not help and you will be contagious until you are over the virus.

Answer 3

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RE:
How long do you remain contagious after beginning antibiotics for a cold?
I have a cold and I began taking penicillin on Monday morning (it is now almost Thursday morning). Am I still contagious and able to spread my cold to others? Or am I ok to kiss my boyfriend? :)

Answer 4

How Long Are Colds Contagious

Answer 5

Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses. You would remain contagious until you have run the course of the cold--antibiotics or not.

Answer 6

Cold is cause by a virus, therefore taking antibiotics will not cure a cold. The penicillin is to treat you tonsillitis ( inflammation of the tonsils). Complete your treatment of penicillin and I would not kiss your bf until your cold is completely gone. I have caught my son's cold just by kissing him when I drop him off at elementary school.

Answer 7

You could still be carrying the germs and contagious for a long time so if you must visit, then use preventive measures. See your doctor for best advice.

Answer 8

I have heard you are contagious as long as you have a temp.

Answer 9

anti-biotics do not work for common colds, as they are usually viral in nature not bacterial. penicillin is useless for a cold.
most colds run their course in 4-10 days...if you have a temp, it is not a cold...could be flu, which is also viral

Answer 10

I asked this same question 3 times, and did not receive a good answer