Why are antibiotics not effective for diseases?

Why are antibiotics not effective for diseases?

Antibiotics are useless against viral infections. This is because viruses are so simple that they use their host cells to perform their activities for them. So antiviral drugs work differently to antibiotics, by interfering with the viral enzymes instead.

What diseases Cannot be treated with antibiotics?

Antibiotics only work against infections caused by bacteria. They do not work against infections caused by viruses. Viruses cause colds, the flu, and most coughs and sore throats.

Why do doctors not prescribe antibiotics?

Excessive use of antibiotics may allow the germs to become resistant to the antibiotic medicines, so that they will not work when they really are needed. They may also sometimes cause side-effects. This is why antibiotics are not prescribed for many infections.

Why are different antibiotics prescribed for different diseases?

Antibiotics are usually grouped together based on how they work. Each type of antibiotic only works against certain types of bacteria or parasites. This is why different antibiotics are used to treat different types of infection.

Why are antibiotics not prescribed for many infections?

They may also sometimes cause side-effects. This is why antibiotics are not prescribed for many infections. Many common infections of the nose, throat, sinuses, ears and chest are caused by germs called viruses. Flu-like illnesses are also caused by viruses. Diarrhoea and/or being sick (vomiting) are often due to a viral infection of the gut.

Why was I not prescribed an antibiotic for diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea and/or being sick (vomiting) are often due to a viral infection of the gut. If you are normally well, your defence (immune) system is good at fighting off many types of viral infection. An antibiotic medicine is not needed if a virus is causing an infection. This is because:

Are there any side effects of taking antibiotics?

What are antibiotics? Antibiotics are powerful medicines used to treat certain illnesses. However, antibiotics do not cure everything, and unnecessary antibiotics can even be harmful. There are 2 main types of germs that cause most infections. These are viruses and bacteria.

When do you need antibiotics for a cold?

Antibiotics do not work on viruses, such as those that cause colds, flu, bronchitis, or runny noses, even if the mucus is thick, yellow, or green. Antibiotics are only needed for treating certain infections caused by bacteria, but even some bacterial infections get better without antibiotics.