Tag: antibiotics for viral infections

Prescription bottle next to virus with red X overlay indicating medication ineffective

Why Won’t Antibiotics Cure a Viral Infection? Doctor Explains

On By Dr. Scott RennieIn Infectious DiseaseLeave a comment

Antibiotics changed the course of medicine. They save lives daily against infections that used to kill people: pneumonia, urinary tract infections, strep throat. The catch is narrow and absolute. They work on bacteria. Viruses are untouched. So an antibiotic prescribed for a cold or influenza does nothing useful, and it can still do harm.

The Risks of Misuse

Overuse drives resistance. Bacteria adapt fast, and repeated exposure teaches a population how to survive the drug that used to clear it. Those are the organisms we call superbugs. They make ordinary infections harder to treat, and healthy patients aren’t exempt from that. In its 2019 threats report, the CDC counted more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections a year in the United States and over 35,000 deaths.

Side effects are the nearer problem for most patients. Antibiotics disturb the gut microbiome, and nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain follow. Sometimes that disruption opens the door for Clostridioides difficile and a severe colitis.

Yeast overgrowth is common too. Clear out the normal bacterial balance and Candida fills the space, showing up as oral thrush or a vaginal yeast infection. I’ve had patients relieved that their original infection improved, only to be frustrated by new symptoms a week later.

Using Antibiotics Wisely

The goal is correct use, not avoidance. That’s what antibiotic stewardship means in practice.

Step one is deciding whether the infection is even bacterial. A sore throat is usually viral pharyngitis. Fever with swollen tonsils and no cough moves strep up the list, and a rapid strep test settles it rather than leaving it to impression. Ear pain needs a careful look to separate a viral picture from bacterial otitis media.

Prevention cuts the need in the first place. Vaccination, hand hygiene, safe food handling. I keep telling patients that washing hands before eating and after being out in public does more to keep them off antibiotics than anything I prescribe.

When antibiotics are the right answer, they’ve got to be taken as directed. Stopping early, skipping doses, and saving leftovers all undermine the course and feed resistance. Sharing a prescription with a family member is its own category of mistake.

Where This Leaves Us

Antibiotics remain among the most powerful tools in medicine, and they aren’t free. Misuse buys resistant bacteria, gastrointestinal misery, and yeast overgrowth. Careful prescribing, honest patient education, and prevention are what keep these drugs working for the people who will need them next.

Scott Rennie, D.O.

Sources

Board Certified in Obesity Medicine and Family Medicine

This blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute individual medical advice. Always consult your own physician before making changes to your health, medications, or treatment plan.

Tissues, a tea cup with spoon, and a medication bottle on a wooden bedside table crossed out with a red X

Why Antibiotics Don’t Work for Colds, Flu, or Viruses

On By Dr. Scott RennieIn Infectious DiseaseLeave a comment
I have many patients who come into the clinic with a common cold and request antibiotics.  Antibiotics can be harmful to your body in many ways.  I think this is very important information from the CDC: Are you aware that colds, flu, most sore throats, and bronchitis are caused by viruses? Did you know that antibiotics do not help fight viruses? It’s true. Plus, taking antibiotics when you have a virus may do more harm than good. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.  In addition, antibiotics can cause bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain that can last for weeks, severe life threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and rashes(hives).  Antibiotics can also damage some internal organs such as the liver or kidneys.   Improper antibiotic causes prolonged healing time and increased medical costs.
  • Antibiotics cure bacterial infections, not viral infections such as:
    • Colds or flu;
    • Most coughs and bronchitis;
    • Sore throats not caused by strep; or
    • Runny noses.
  • Taking antibiotics for viral infections, such as a cold, cough, the flu, or most bronchitis, will not:
    • Cure the infections;
    • Keep other individuals from catching the illness; or
    • Help you feel better.
When you use antibiotics appropriately, you do the best for your health, your family’s health, and the health of those around you. “We want Americans to keep their families and communities healthy by getting smart about the proper use of antibiotics,” said Lauri Hicks, D.O., medical director of CDC’s Get Smart campaign.

What To Do

  • Talk with your healthcare provider about antibiotic resistance.
  • When you are prescribed an antibiotic,
    • Take it exactly as the doctor tells you. Complete the prescribed course even if you are feeling better. If treatment stops too soon, some bacteria may survive and re-infect you.This goes for children, too. Make sure your children take all medication as prescribed, even if they feel better.Throw away any leftover medication once you have completed your prescription

What Not To Do

  • Antibiotics cure bacteria, not viruses such as:
    • Colds or flu;
    • Most coughs and bronchitis;
    • Sore throats not caused by strep; or
    • Runny noses.

Scott Rennie, D.O.
Board Certified in Obesity Medicine and Family Medicine

This blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute individual medical advice. Always consult your own physician before making changes to your health, medications, or treatment plan.