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Antibiotics are only for killing bacteria, they do not work on viruses which are the cause of the flu. Bacteria are living organisms and so poisons and chemicals can actually kill them. But flu viruses are non-living organisms so they can not be killed, they can only be inactivated by damage or physical blocking by antibodies (made by our immune systems) of the shapes of the structures viruses use to attach to a host's cells. Viruses need a host's cells to use to reproduce, if they can not attach to the cells, they will be inactivated. Antibiotics are not capable of inactivating them.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoThe flu is caused by a virus (influenza), and antibiotics are used to treat bacterial diseases. Thus an antibiotic cannot treat the flu, because viruses arent killed by antibiotics.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoantibiotics kill living things like bacteria and viruses aren't living
Wiki User
∙ 11y agobecause it is an viral infection
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Why don't doctors prescribe antibiotics if you have the flu?
antibiotics can be powerful.
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.
If somebody has swine flu should the drink antibiotics such as Tylenol or Motrin?
1) Tylenol and Motrin are not antibiotics. They are painkillers, and each has products available for relief of cold and flu symptoms.2) Antibiotics cannot cure the flu, which is a virus. Antibiotics only kill bacteria-based illnesses.
Why can antibiotics treat flu-like symptoms caused by bacteria but are ineffective against flu?
Because the way antibiotics treat those symptoms is by killing the bacteria that cause them. If the symptoms are caused by viruses, then antibiotics can't help since they are not made to be able to "kill" viruses, just bacteria. Flu viruses are not really living organisms like bacteria are. So viruses must be inactivated rather than killed. Antibiotics can neither kill nor inactivate viruses. They are created to be used to kill only specific bacteria, they do not kill every kind of bacteria, either. That is why there are so many different kinds of antibiotics. Antibiotics can treat flu-like symptoms caused by some bacteria, because the right antibiotics can kill bacteria. So although flu like symptoms are similar to those of the flu, they are caused by different microbes so are not cured in the same way.
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.
What is adverse effect of using antibiotics in treating flu?
Antibiotics will not help when you have flu because antibiotics only kill bacteria and influenza is caused by a virus, you would only end up with the side effec ts from taking medication you don't need when you are already unwell.
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 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.
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 cant antibiotics be used to treat diseases like flu or HIV?
Antibiotics are used for bacteria, HIV and FLU are a type of viris, not a bacteriumyou would have to use anti-viral tablets but they are not very effective because they can destroy your cells (viruses reproduce inside cells)Antibiotics generally work by destroying the cell walls of bacteria. The flu is caused by a virus, which is not a cell and does not have a cell wall. Antibiotics cannot be used against viral diseases.
Antibiotics are used to treat viral infections like the flu True or False?
Antibiotics kill bacteria. Antivirals kill viruses. However, a patient with a viral infection might sometimes be given antibiotics to reduce the work the patient's defenses have to do or to stop opportunistic infections.
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.
