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Taking antibiotics for viral infections can do more harm than good

Alexey Portnov, medical expert
Last reviewed: 29.11.2021

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19 November 2011, 23:09

Did you know that taking antibiotics when you or your child is sick with a viral infection can do more harm than good?

According to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, when it comes to children, antibiotics are the most common cause of hospitalization in the emergency department due to the side effects of the drug.

Bed rest, copious drinking and the use of OTC drugs are the preferred option for the treatment of viral infections, according to the CDC.

Colds and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract, as well as some ear infections can be triggered by viruses, not bacteria. Antibiotics only work on bacteria, but not on viruses.

Antibiotics are the most important tool in the fight against life-threatening bacterial infections, and yet resistance to these drugs is also one of the most pressing health system problems, says CDC.

The agency urges people not to take antibiotics for viral infections.

For example, colds, tonsillitis, acute bronchitis, infections of the middle ear and paranasal sinuses are mostly caused by viruses. Therefore, when taking antibiotics, most likely, it will happen that:

Infections will not be cured.
You or your child will not feel better.
You or your child may experience harmful side effects.

Most cases of resistance to antibiotics occur when patients are assigned to them in specific cases, and patients start taking them out of their intended purpose or wrongly. So if you have been prescribed antibiotics, you should not miss the dose.

If you or your child have an upper respiratory tract infection, you need:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about over-the-counter medications that will bring relief to you.
Drink plenty of fluids and rest more.

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