How is the flu different from bacterial infections?

Amoxicillin will not help the flu. Amoxicillin is for bacterial infections, and the flu is a virus. Viruses are not killed by antibiotics. If you have a bacterial infection WITH the flu, then it will help the infection, but not the flu. ...

No. Antibiotics do not help viral infections such as the cold or flu. Antibiotics are specifically for helping with treatment of bacterial infections or for preventing bacterial infections and do nothing to an inanimate virus. ...

No it is a viral infection caused by a virus not bacteria. This is why antibiotics that are for treating bacterial infections don't work for the flu, common cold or other viral infections. ...

No. Cipro ONLY works on bacterial infections. When you catch a cold or the flu you do not have a bacterial infection, you have a virus. No antibiotics work on any type of viral infections. ...

Because 'flu is viral and antibiotics only treat bacterial infections.

No. It is an antibiotic and they only work on bacterial infections, not viral infections like cold and flu. ...

You would not be given any antibiotic for use to treat a cold or flu. They are both viral infections, not bacterial infections. Antibiotics are only for bacterial infections. If you have a secondary bacterial infection with a viral infection, you might be prescribed an antibiotic to treat that secondary infection, but not for the virus itself. ...

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. ...

Antibiotics can fight bacterial infections. Antibiotics doesn't help with viral infections like flu and cold. ...

None. Antibiotics do not work on viral infections like the flu and common colds. Antibiotics are only good for bacterial infections. ...

No. Antibiotics like Amoxicillin are ineffective in treating the flu or other viral infections. Antibiotics are made only to treat bacterial infections. ...

Antibiotics only treat bacterial infections. The flu is a virus. Thus it has no effect against it. ...

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. ...

The flu is caused by a virus (viruses). Antibiotics ONLY treat bacterial infections. Therefore, an antibiotic will do absolutely nothing for a person with the flu. ...

no, antibiotics don't work for common cold/flu....only for bacterial infections ...

To prevent secondary bacterial or viral infections, such as pneumonia.

No, there is no connection between the two infections. TB is caused by a bacterium called mycobacteria. The flu is caused by an influenza virus. Flu starts in healthy people when infected with the virus as well as those with underlying medical conditions, or other infections. People with bacterial infections and underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for catching viral infections like the flu, but that is not typically how the flu is started. ...

Not usually, however sometimes steroids like prednisone are given when other treatment is not working and inflammation is adding to the problem with the infection. This happens more often with bacterial infections than viral infections like the flu, however, for those hospitalized with serious cases and complications of swine flu, IV steroids were often prescribed. They are also used when there is poor response to treatment of secondary bacterial infections in those with current or recent flu infections. It would be unlikely to...

CEPHALEXIN is a cephalosporin antibiotic. It is used to treat certain kinds of bacterial infections It will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. ...

Penicillin is used for bacterial infections, such as an abscessed tooth becoming infected. Penicillin should not be taken for viral infections like the Flu. ...

Cefadur is an antibiotic. It is used for treating bacterial infections like strep, urinary tract infections, and skin infections. It does not kill viral infections, like those that cause colds or the flu. ...

Yes, a large percentage of vaccines are for viral infections, there are not many vaccines for bacterial infections but there are a few. The flu is caused by a virus, vaccinations against the flu work very well, for example. ...

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. ...

Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics a virus can't.

Zithromax treats susceptible bacterial infections.