Antibiotics are strong medicines.
They can cure most bacterial
infections, like strep throat and
some pneumonia and sinus
infections. But they don’t cure
everything. Antibiotics cannot
kill viruses.
Colds and flu are caused by
viruses. An antibiotic will not
cure the infection, help you
feel better or keep others from
catching your cold or flu. In
fact, used when not needed,
an antibiotic can actually be
harmful to your health. That’s
because the antibiotic can
make some bacteria resistant
to it. These resistant bacteria
are stronger and harder to kill.
They can stay in your body and
cause severe illnesses that
cannot be cured with antibiotic
medicines. A cure for resistant
bacteria may require stronger
treatment—and possibly a stay
in the hospital.
To avoid the threat of antibiotic-resistant
infections, the
Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
(CDC) does not
recommend using
antibiotics to treat
the common cold or
the flu. The spread
of viral infections can be
reduced through frequent
hand washing and avoiding
close contact with others who
are sick.
Your doctor will provide the
appropriate medication to treat
your symptoms when you are
sick. Follow your doctor’s
advice and do not pressure
him or her for an antibiotic
if one is not needed.
If you have a bacterial infection
such as strep throat and are
prescribed an antibiotic, be
sure to take all the medicine to
ensure the infection has been
treated—even if you begin to
feel better. Not finishing the
medicine also can cause
resistant bacteria to develop.
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/getsmart
No antibiotic needed
The following CDC chart
lists which upper respiratory
infections are usually caused
by viruses—germs that are
not killed by antibiotics. Talk
with your doctor about ways
to feel better when you are
sick. Ask what symptoms
you should look for at home
that might mean you are
developing an infection for
which antibiotics might be
appropriate.
| Illnesses usually caused
by viruses: |
| Common cold |
| Influenza (flu) |
| Chest cold
(in otherwise healthy people) |
| Sore throat (except strep) |
| Bronchitis
(in otherwise healthy people) |
| Runny nose
(with green or yellow mucus) |
| Fluid in the middle ear
(otitis media with effusion) |
