Antibiotics on viral infections ineffectively
Antibiotics do not work on viruses, such as those that cause colds, flu, or COVID-19. Antibiotics
also are not needed for many sinus infections and some ear infections. When antibiotics aren't
needed, they won't help you, and the side effects could still cause harm. Antibiotics are only
needed for treating certain infections caused by bacteria, but even some bacterial infections get
better without antibiotics. We rely on antibiotics to treat serious, life-threatening conditions such
as pneumonia and%sepsis, the body’s extreme response to an infection. Effective antibiotics are
also needed for people who are at high risk for developing infections. Some of those at high risk
for infections include patients undergoing surgery, patients with end-stage kidney disease, or
patients receiving cancer therapy (chemotherapy). Antibiotics have been saving lives ever since
Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in the 1920s. Having medications that actually can
destroy or slow down bacteria meant that infections that could have killed patients could be
treated effectively, and that was an amazing game-changer for medicine.
There are times when antibiotics are still the best available option for an illness or infection, and
taking antibiotics can ensure a safe and healthy recovery. There are also times, however, when
antibiotics are not the best option, and they could potentially end up doing more harm than good.
Antibiotics are often an effective treatment for bacterial infections, but antibiotics are not
effective against viruses. Treating a viral infection with antibiotics would be an inappropriate use
of antibiotics.
Why is it bad to treat viral infections with antibiotics? There are a few reasons. Antibiotics will
not cure infections caused by viruses, and since they do not cure the infection they also do
