0
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.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoYou can not treat the flu with antibiotics. They are only effective against bacteria and the flu is only caused by viruses. There are antiviral medications that your physician may prescribe for the flu or there are over the counter symptomatic treatments, such as cough medicine, anti-inflammatory medicines and fever reducers (e.g., NSAIDS like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin, although aspirin should not be given to children with the flu or other viral infections). Bacteria and viruses are "killed" by different methods and, therefore, different medicines.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What antibiotic is used to treat flu or the cold symptoms?
none.. they are viruses, virii do not respond to antibiotics
What is Cephalixin used for?
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.
Is tramadol an antibiotic used to treat pain?
It is not an antibiotic, however it is used to treat pain.
Will antibiotics help you recover from the flu quicker?
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.
What is erythrocin used for?
The drug is an antibiotic and used to treat infections.
If you get a swine flu shot will the swine flu disappear in a week?
The swine flu shot is used to prevent the flu, not to treat the flu if you already have it. To treat the flu, antiviral medications are more likely to be prescribed, such as Tamiflu.
Tami flu is enough to treat H1N1 with no antibiotic?
H1N1 or Swine flu is a virus. Antibiotics will have NO effect whatsoever on a viral infection. Tamiflu should reduce the time you have symptoms by two days.
Can azithromycin cure the flu?
No. Azithromycin is an antibiotic. Antibiotics only work to kill or control growth of bacteria. The flu is not caused by bacteria, so antibiotics are ineffective to treat it. Influenza is caused by viruses.
Is azithromycin is an infection?
No, Azithromycin is an antibiotic used to treat infection.
What is pyramox?
An antibiotic used to treat certain bacterial infections.
When was the first antibiotic used to treat valley fever?
Valley fever is not caused by a bacteria and so an antibiotic cannot be used to treat Valley fever. Valley fever is treated with an antifungal.
Is a vaccine and antibiotic both given to the flu?
The flu is caused by a virus. Antibiotics don't work on viruses, they are made to kill bacteria instead. The type of medicine that is used to treat viral infections are anti-viral medicines. But, the best treatment is prevention, and that is where the vaccination comes in. Don't wait to get the flu and need treatment, instead get a flu shot so you will be immune to the virus and not get sick in the first place.
