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Antibiotics only work against BACTERIAL infections. A VIRAL infection is not a BACTERIAL infection.
A bacteria is a small complex living cell - antibiotics kill bacteria
A virus is a simple strand of DNA in a protein coat - antibiotics have no effect on viruses.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agobecause it won't work. there are some antiviral medications.
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Does an antibiotic keep fighting your infection after you finish taking it?
Not for very long. That is why it is important to take your antibiotic as prescribed, even if you think that the infection has gone away. Continuing to take the antibiotic for the full time prescribed keeps the infection from flaring up again; you think it's completely gone, but not quite.
Should you be on an antibiotic if you hacked up dark green phlegm your doc gave you a prescrip for amoxicillin and said you could take it if you thought you needed it should you take it?
Oh yes, dark green phlegm is an indication of a bacterial infection. Take the antibiotic.
Is flagyl a good antibiotic?
Depends on what infection you have. You need to see a doctor to determine exactly which antibiotic you need - and be sure to take every one of the antibiotic pills to cure all the infection instead of just part of it.
Can you take cipro for a cold?
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.
Why should you not use penicillin to cure a cold?
you should not use penicillin to cure a cold because penicillin is an antibiotic and your body could build a resistant up to it and when you really do become sick you will not be able to use penicillin to cure and actual infection. Also if you are prescribed an antibiotic and you do not take the whole amount prescribed you could still carry the infection dormit in your body and your illness could return resistant to the antibiotic that was prescribed.
Can you take penicillin vk for a sinus infection?
it depends on the type of infection. if it is bacterial then maybe if it is viral then no not at all
Can lupin 500mg antibiotic be used for ear infection or sore throat?
How often and how much to take for an ear infection
Should you take antibiotic's when you have the flu?
usually no, unless you have a secondary bacterial infection
How do you know if eye infection is bacterial or viral My Dr could not make up his mind. Did not take a test even. He prescribed citoxam just in case. Could that be dangerous if infection is viral?
no. bacterial is contagouse, and is charicterised but bright pinkness in affected area while viral is not contagious and is less serious characterised by bloodshot eyes and itchiness, there is also a version that comes from allergies, but that goes away on its own.
Who can you order amoxicillin from?
From your doctor - you should not take an antibiotic unless you are positive that you have an infection and that the infection can be cured by that particular antibiotic - otherwise you just make your body resistant to antibiotics so they won't work on you.
Should you EVER take someone else's antibiotics as prevention against carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae or CRE infection?
Absolutely NOT. The reason super bugs like MSRA and the new carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae or CRE infection is so terrible is because people OVER-USE antibiotics! Never take anyone else's medicines. Always finish the antibiotic given to you for an infection. Never take antibiotics for a cold, flu or other viral infection. Never take antibiotics as "prevention"-- UNLESS a doctor instructs you to do so.
Can antibiotics cause dehydration?
the side effects depending on antibiotic can cause dry mouth and when you have infection and take antibiotic your body needs more fluids
