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.

Viruses cause colds and flu. 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) recommends you do not use antibiotics to treat the common cold or the flu. The spread of viral infections can be reduced through frequent hand washing and by 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 can also 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 you should look for at home that might mean you are developing another 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)