0
Not usually. Since colds are caused by viruses, taking an antibiotic at the first sign of a cold is useless and is an overuse of those drugs - which also leads to ineffectiveness of those drugs.
People who have colds and/or flu can develop secondary infections which can be treated with antibiotics. But using antibiotics as a preventive is not considered responsible medicine when it comes to colds.
What else can I help you with?
Why taking an antibiotic is not effective in the common cold?
viruses are not killed by antibiotics. -apex
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.
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.
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
Are antibiotics effective to shorten the duration of a cold or flu?
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.
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.
You visited a doctor because you have bad cold What if your doctors prescribe medicines for you but not antibiotics Why not?
Antibiotics do not cure the common cold since the common cold is a viral illness. Antibiotics are for bacteria, not viruses, so it would not make sense for a physician to prescribe an antibiotic for a cold and would actually be irresponsible if the physician did this.
What diseases are treated with antibiotics?
Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections such as strep throat, urinary tract infections, and bacterial pneumonia. They are not effective against viral infections like the common cold or flu.
Can anti biotics help a baby's cold?
No, antibiotics are only effective against BACTERIAL infections and a cold is a VIRAL infection.
Why antibiotics wont help a viral sore throat or a common cold?
Antibiotics kill bacteria. They do not kill viruses.
What is Common cold?
The common cold is a viral illness caused by a variety of viruses. It is not a deadly disease. It usually clears up in 7 to 10 days without treatment. Antibiotics are not effective against the common cold. Some people take medications to help with the symptoms of the common cold, even though these medications do not make the cold get better faster. The only thing proven to decrease the length of a cold is zinc lozenges, and only in adults.
What type of medicine is persrcibed by the doctor when you have a cold?
Doctors do not prescribe any medication for a common cold. The common cold is a viral condition and antibiotics should not be prescribed for it.
