Infections & Antibiotics — Ireland Patient Guides

Infections and antibiotics in Ireland

Most everyday infections — sore throats, ear infections, runny noses, mild coughs — are viral and don't need antibiotics. Where antibiotics are needed (UTIs, strep throat, bacterial pneumonia), prompt and appropriate prescribing matters. Ireland's antimicrobial stewardship guidance (HSE, HPSC) is designed to balance both — and Online Doctors follow it.

Antibiotic stewardship — why it matters

Antibiotic resistance is a serious global health threat. Per HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre data, around 30% of antibiotic prescriptions in Irish primary care could be avoided without harm. Online Doctors at Dox on Call follow HPSC and NICE guidance to prescribe only when antibiotics will help — and to choose the narrowest-spectrum agent for the shortest effective course.

What you'll find in these guides

• UTI — when antibiotics are needed, which ones, and how long
• Strep A / strep throat — testing, Centor criteria, and treatment
• RSV and bronchiolitis — viral, supportive care
• Cold sores and other common viral infections
• When to seek urgent assessment (high fever, sepsis red flags)

Frequently asked questions

Will I definitely get antibiotics?

Not necessarily — and that's the right answer when the infection is viral. The Online Doctor will assess your symptoms against published criteria (Centor for sore throat, urinary symptom score for UTI, etc.) and prescribe only if antibiotics will genuinely help. You'll always get a clear explanation either way.

What are sepsis red flags?

Per HSE Sepsis Six guidance, urgently seek emergency care for: very high or very low temperature, fast breathing, fast heart rate, confusion or significant drowsiness, mottled or pale skin, or not passing urine. Sepsis is a medical emergency.

Can I get a private prescription for travel antibiotics?

For specific situations — traveller's diarrhoea standby, malaria prophylaxis where clinically appropriate — yes, following Irish travel-medicine guidance.

Information paraphrases public guidance from HSE.ie, HPSC, NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries, and the Irish College of General Practitioners.