If you have a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher and suspect you have a skin infection, call a doctor or go to the hospital straight soon. You're in a lot of discomfort. The swelling or redness spreads. You have pain that won't go away. These are all signs of an infection. If you don't get medical help, the infection could become life-threatening. You should call your doctor before going to the hospital anyway, so she can tell you what kind of treatment you can expect if you do decide to go there. She'll also be able to tell you if another hospital is better suited to handle your case. In addition to a physician, many hospitals now employ nurse practitioners and physician's assistants who can diagnose illness and administer simple medications. They may not be able to perform more invasive procedures or treat complicated cases. However, this type of practitioner can still play an important role in treating infections that aren't serious enough to require a visit to the emergency room. If you do go to the hospital, they will likely give you some form of antibiotic to kill any bacteria that are causing the problem. This is because many bacterial infections will not heal on their own. Infections caused by viruses such as the common cold can usually be treated with over-the-counter medicines such as Tylenol or Advil.