Antibiotics start working as soon as you start taking them. However, it is possible that you will not feel better for two to three days. The rate at which you recover from antibiotic therapy varies. It is also dependent on the sort of infection being treated. For example, if you have a sore throat, the antibiotics will get rid of any bacteria that may be causing the problem. If your pneumonia is caused by viruses instead of bacteria, your body's immune system can kill those too. It depends on the type of infection. Generally, an antibiotic will begin working within hours or days of starting treatment. However, some infections can take several weeks to clear up. Talk with your doctor about how long you should wait before making a return visit. Many types of infections can be cured in just one day. Others may require several days to clear up. Only your doctor can tell you how long an infection will take to go away. Your doctor will tell you how to use antibiotics safely and effectively. He or she will also help you decide when to call back if you are not feeling better after using antibiotics. You should not stop taking antibiotics without first talking to your doctor. Doing so could lead to the development of drug-resistant bacteria, which would make future treatments harder to manage.