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viruses are not killed by antibiotics. -apex
Geoffrey Herzog
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoAntibiotics are ONLY effective against organisms called "bacteria".
The common cold is NOT a bacterial infection, it is caused by a "virus".
This means that antibiotics are not effective against a common cold (or flue). Indeed if you use them for a cold not only do they not work, they become LESS effective for use against bacterial infections. In the next 30 years it is likely that antibiotics will cease to be effective altogether because people have misused them (for treating inappropriate diseases and by feeding them to livestock). This will be VERY serious for the health of mankind - people will start dying form simple things like an infected cut.
Wiki User
∙ 16y agobecause antibiotics are for bacterial infections. The common cold is a virus, and antibiotics do not kill viruses.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoAntibiotics only work on bacterial disease. The common cold is a virus.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agocold is caused by viruses, antibiotics don't act on viruses
Wiki User
∙ 12y agobecause its a viral infection.
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What will not help you recover from a mild cold?
Taking a Antibiotic is for infections not the common cold.
Why penicillin is not effective against common cold?
The common cold is a virus. Viruses have to run its complete life cycle. Penicillin is an antibiotic, used to rid the body's system of bacteria.
When are antibiotics not effective?
An antibiotic might not work because the symptoms are attributed to a virus rather than a bacterium. Antibiotics do not work against viruses.
Is taking antibiotics effective if one is down with common cold?
Not usually. Since colds are caused by viruses, taking an antibiotic at the first sign of a cold is useless and is an overuse of those drugs - which also leads to ineffectiveness of those drugs. People who have colds and/or flu can develop secondary infections which can be treated with antibiotics. But using antibiotics as a preventive is not considered responsible medicine when it comes to colds.
Is bacteria or virus a common cold?
Its a virus, that's why antibiotic will not help at all as they only help against bacterial infections.
Can you use mupirocin for cold sores below lip?
Mupirocin ointment can be used on your penis. This ointment is used as a topical antibiotic for varying skin infections.
Commercially available zinc-containing lozenges are advertised to be effective against?
the common cold
You visited a doctor because you have bad cold What if your doctors prescribe medicines for you but not antibiotics Why not?
Antibiotics do not cure the common cold since the common cold is a viral illness. Antibiotics are for bacteria, not viruses, so it would not make sense for a physician to prescribe an antibiotic for a cold and would actually be irresponsible if the physician did this.
What formulation of zinc has been found effective in treating the symptoms of the common cold?
Zinc gluconate
Does paracetamol kill bacteria in the body?
No it does not kill bacteria as it is not antibiotic. It is used as antipyretic and analgesic for pain relief as in common cold headache and mild fever
Is clindamycin good for chest cold?
If your health care professional prescribes it. But you should not take antibiotics without an examination or a prescription. There is still some risk in taking medicines like antibiotics when they are not really necessary to you by way of side effects, and to the community with creation of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. So, you should be sure that the congestion and cough are due to a bacterial infection or the antibiotic may be an unnecessary risk. These drugs are not effective for treating viruses, like the cold or flu, or allergies, which also can have similar symptoms. Only a health examination can determine what treatment is needed.
Why are antibiotics helpful for treating the common cold?
No antibiotic has ever helped to cure the cold. Cold or common cold is caused by virus infection. Antibiotics should not be used to treat the cold. That should be taken as crime against humanity to use antibiotics to treat the cold.
