When I'm fighting an infection I carry around an 8oz bottle with me and swig throughout the day. I take more when I get home from work. As long as the silver is in your stomach it is working. When it is out of the stomach you need to have some more until the healing process is complete. It may take a few days before you feel a major difference. This is my theory. I have also found that Aloe-Vera has a healing soothing effect on the stomach/intestines.