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Are antibiotics effective to shorten the duration of a cold or flu?
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
No, antibiotics are not the right medication for a cold. Antibiotics are for treating bacterial infections. The common cold is caused by a virus, not bacteria, and will not be affected by antibiotics. There may be a situation where a doctor may prescribe antibiotics for a secondary bacterial infection after a cold or flu, but the cold itself can not be treated with antibiotics...it is a waste of money to use them for a cold and is also an unnecessary risk of adverse reactions or Allergies to the antibiotics.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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Why taking an antibiotic is not effective in the common cold?
viruses are not killed by antibiotics. -apex
Can anti biotics help a baby's cold?
No, antibiotics are only effective against BACTERIAL infections and a cold is a VIRAL infection.
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.
Why antibiotics are not effective against cold and flu?
The common cold, like influenza, is a viral infection. Although innoculations can help prevent the flu, antibiotics (which kill bacteria) are only effective in treating bacterial infections (such as pneumonia) that may result.
Can cold be cured by antibiotics?
No, antibiotics will not even treat a cold because a cold is caused by a virus and not bacteria. Antibiotics are only effective on bacteria. Viruses cannot be 'killed' with antibiotics, and taking antibiotics will only help you kill off bacteria in your stomach and make you have diarrhea.
What Are effective at treating strep throat but not at treating colds?
Antibiotics - because a cold is a virus caused disease and antibiotics have no effect on a virus. However strep throat is caused by a bacterium and antibiotics do kill bacteria.
What antibiotics work on cold sores?
None. Antibiotics are poisons for killing bacteria, they do not work on a virus, which is the causative organism in cold sores (Herpes Simplex Virus). There are anti-viral medications that can be prescribed to help lessen the cold sore symptoms and duration, however, which are: valcyclovir, acyclovir, and famcyclovir
Can zinc treat the common cold?
Evidence shows that it is unlikely to prevent upper respiratory infections, but beginning a supplement promptly when symptoms occur can significantly shorten the duration of the illness.
If you have a cold does the pill stop working?
No it is only when you take antibiotics that the pill can be less effective and maybe if you vomit within an hour or two of taking it
How effective are antihistamines and decongestants in treating the common cold?
Individuals should determine whether they wish to use any of these drugs. None of them shorten or cure a cold. At best they help a person feel more comfortable.
Why don't antibiotics help fever blisters?
Fever blisters (also called cold sores) are caused by the activation of the herpes simplex virus in the facial nerve. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infection.
Are green vegetables good for a cold?
Yes. Green vegetables are very high in vitamins and phytochemicals such as vitamin C, carotenoids, lutein, folate, magnesium, and vitamin K. These phytochemicals boost your immune system and can help shorten the duration of a cold.
