Why do antibiotics not work on viruses

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The answer is tri-fold:. Most of the time, these common infections are caused by viruses. Antibiotics work by destroying bacterial cell membranes and bacterial replication. Antibiotics have side effects. If you take antibiotics for a viral infection, you are putting yourself at risk for side effects. All antibiotics may cause diarrhea and nausea.

Some are hard on your kidneys, liver or other body parts. Some side effects can be life threatening, such as an allergic reaction. Every antibiotic can have side effects. Using antibiotics to treat viruses causes superbugs. Superbugs are bacteria that become resistant to antibiotics. This happens when antibiotics are inappropriately used to treat viral infections.

Thousands of people die from these infections every year. Infants, young children and elderly are at greatest risk. Someone with an infection that is resistant to a certain medicine can pass that resistant infection to another person. In this way, a hard-to-treat illness can be spread from person to person.

In some cases, the antibiotic-resistant illness can lead to serious disability or even death. Resistance can happen if the bacterial infection is only partially treated. To prevent this, it is important to finish taking the entire prescription of antibiotics as instructed, even if your child is feeling better.

This complicated question, which should be answered by your healthcare provider, depends on the specific diagnosis. For example, there are several types of ear infections — most need antibiotics, but some do not. Most cases of sore throat are caused by viruses.

One kind, strep throat, diagnosed by a lab test, needs antibiotics. Common viral infections, like coughs or a cold, can sometimes become complicated and a bacterial infection can develop. However, treating viral infections with antibiotics in order to prevent bacterial infections is not recommended because of the risk of causing bacterial resistance:.

Remember that antibiotics do not work against viral colds and the flu, and that unnecessary antibiotics can be harmful. Talk with your healthcare provider about antibiotics and find out about the differences between viruses and bacteria, and when antibiotics should and should not be used. If your child receives an antibiotic, be sure to give it exactly as prescribed to decrease the development of resistant bacteria.

Have your child finish the entire prescription.