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Influenza is not a bacterial infection, so antibiotics are not effective for the flu. Furthermore, taking antibiotics when unnecessary leads to stronger strains of bacteria, helping them to become immune to the current antibiotics. For your flu I would recommend lots of rest, fluids, and some chicken soup. Take an over the counter medicine to relieve the discomfort from your symptoms.

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16y ago
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11y ago

No, Influenza cannot be treated with antibiotics or other medications. Influenza is a virus, antibiotics only work well in killing, what else, bacteria. The only way Influenza can be cured is for your body to fight it off naturally, which is why doctors say it is so important to drink fluids to aid the immune system.

Antivirals could possibly be prescribed to manage some symptoms or shorten the duration of the illness, but they do not work as a cure.

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13y ago

Influenza is a virus. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses.

Only antivirals can used against influenza a common medication prescribed for influenza is Tamiflu (actually it is the only drug on the market used as a treatment for influenza.)

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11y ago

No. Antibiotics are only for treating bacterial infections.

Antiviral drugs (e.g., Tamiflu) are available to treat the flu, but must be given very soon after symptoms start to be most effective.

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10y ago

Penicillin is not to be used in viral fevers like influenza. Giving penicillin in viral fevers is misuse of antibiotic. But if you happen to give penicillin in influenza, most of the patients will recover with out regard to penicillin.

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12y ago

No, because colds are caused by a virus and antibiotics are used against bacteria.

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12y ago

no, because flu is caused by virus and antibiotics can only cure diseases caused by bacteria.

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Q: Can the flu be treated by antibiotics?
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Related questions

When and who created the antibiotics for the flu fevercold chickenpox and the mumps?

Flu, cold, chickenpox, and mumps are viral and aren't treated with antibiotics.


Are there antibiotics for bird flu?

There are no antibiotics for the bird flu. Influenza (all types) is caused by a virus, and hence can't be treated with antibiotics (antibiotics only work with bacteria).


Why isn't flu treated with antibiotics?

Antibiotics are useful against bacteria; they do not do anything about viruses.


Is the flu bacterial?

yes last time i checked i read all viruses and flu's were bacterial! No, influenza is viral and cannot be treated with antibiotics.


Would you take antibiotics for the flu?

No, not to treat the flu itself because antibiotics don't affect viruses, they are used only for bacterial infections. Sometimes people with the flu develop secondary bacterial infections and then antibiotics may be given to treat or prevent this complication. See the related question below for how influenza is treated.


Why do antibiotics have an effect on Swine Flu?

They do not have an effect on swine flu, but can be helpful if a secondary bacterial infection occurs with the flu or after the flu. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses. The flu is caused by viruses. Antibiotics are for treating infections by bacteria, not for treating infections by viruses.


Why don't doctors prescribe antibiotics if you have the flu?

antibiotics can be powerful.


How are bacterial and fungal infections treated?

They are treated with antibiotics. <-----------Fungal infections are NOT treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics only kill bacteria.


Are bacterial diseases treated differently by doctors than viral diseases?

Yes. Bacterial diseases can be treated with antibiotics. Viral diseases have to run their course. Many viral diseases have vaccines available, such as flu, measles, mumps, chicken pox and so on. If your cold or flu turns into pneumonia, then that can be treated since it is bacterial.


What skin disorder can be treated with antibiotics?

Any skin disease caused by Bacteria can be treated by antibiotics e.g.boils .Allergies can't be treated by antibiotics .


Can you kill the Swine Flu with antibiotics?

No, antibiotics are for bacteria and swine flu is a virus. See the related question below for more information.


Why do antibodies not work on flu?

Assuming the question is a typo for "Why do antibiotics not work on a flu?", the reason is quite simple. Influenza (Flu) is caused by a virus, not a bacteria or parasite. When you have an infection, and your doctor prescribes you antibiotics, they are working on a bacterial or parasitic infection, not a viral infection. Put quite simply, antibiotics are not effective whatsoever against viruses.