I am suffering from viral and bacterial infection (bronchitis). doctor prescribed antibiotics for 5 days. how do I know if the infection is completely cured after 5 days and whether antibiotics need to be continued for few more days? doctor told me that cough can persist even after infection is treated, that doesn't mean antibiotics need to be continued. Are there any other symptoms that definitely indicate that antibiotics need to be continued OR do I need to meet the doctor again after 5 days? I forgot to ask him this question. I had viral and bacterial infection 2 times in past one and half month already and I had to take antibiotics 5 days each time and this time I want to make sure the infection is completely cured before stopping the antibiotics course.