Q 1. Hi, My doc gave me an antibiotic cefpodoxime proxetil even though he said i most probably having a viral fever, justifying himself saying the antibiotic is more precautionary and to treat other possible bacterial infections that are likely to come along with my viral infection? Q2. My friend keeps saying every time I have a fever; its my body fighting an infection and unless im sure that its a bacterial infection i shouldnt take an antibiotic. he even goes on to say that if its just a viral fever i should avoid any medication and just let my body fight the infection and I can use paracetamol or antipyetics only if i cant bear the fever as its about 103F or more, can you tell me if this strategy is correct. He says since he was a kid he never took medicines and a viral fever never lasts more than a day or two for him unless its a bacterial in which case he takes antibiotics. please advise if i can follow this strateg. My friend is 30 and im 34 I have always taken medicines, paracetamol, antipyretics and antibiotics depending on how bad high my fever is and what my doctor asks me to do. P.S: I live in India, ideally that shouldnt make a difference, but i feel doctors here are sometimes all to ready to jump to antibiotics for quick result. Please reply asap, wondering if i should stop my next antibiotic dose asap if it isnt rally necessary for a simple viral flu which i seem to have. Thank you