Q: I had a bad throat infection with mild pharyngitis, with the phlegm turning brown and then green. I was administered the antibiotic Taxim-o(cefixime) 200 mg, 1 tablet twice daily. Though the infection reduced, it has reappeared with some travelling I had to undertake. Initially I took the antibiotic for 5 days. Now, after a lapse of 10 days, I am being administered the same drug for a period of 7 days. Is it alright? Also, how can one differentiate between bacterial and viral infection?

A:It is not right to restart the antibiotic for anyone, but in your case I feel the doctor probably found you had the same infection again. Then there is no harm. Actually an antibiotic under a proper supervision of the doctor is recommended. Bacterial infections are more acute and always come with fever and enlarged glands in the neck if throat is involved. If the illness is mild, fever is mild with bodyache and there is no gland enlargement, I feel this cold be the difference clinically. Although blood tests are confirmatory.