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Antibiotics disrupt bacterial cell processes that result in either killing the bacteria, preventing it from reproducing, or preventing it from causing symptoms in humans.
For example: penicillin disrupts the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall in mostly gram positive bacteria. This prevents the growth of the target bacteria.
Any gram negative bacteria will be unaffected by penicillin because they have a different process of synthesizing cell walls that is not disrupted by penicillin. Viruses don't even have a cell wall, they have a protein coat and sometimes an envelope. Neither of these are affected by penicillin.
So antibiotics target specific processes that only occur in specific types of bacteria, so each antibiotic will only work on some bacteria and never on viruses.
The virus version of antibiotics are called interferon, they disrupt processes that are specific to viruses.
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∙ 12y ago
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Why are antibiotics not given unless a serious infection?
Bacteria can become immune to antibiotics and the antibiotics will not work in the future when you need them. They only work against bacteria and cold and flu are caused by viruses.
Do antibiotics work against bacteria?
antibiotics are useful against bacteria because they help to kill off the nasty bacteria or they can also stop the bacteria from reproducing - so the illness doesn't get worse. this then gives your body time to make antibodies which will eventually distroy the bacteria. after this, you won't get the disease again because you are immune to it.
Why can't antibiotics be used against viruses?
Because viruses are not bacteria. Antibiotics only work on bacteria. (Viruses are not actually alive . . . they enter a bacterium and take control of its function.)
How do diseases caused by bacteria and diseases caused by viruses react to antibiotics?
Disease caused by viruses cannot be cured by antibiotics. Antibiotics ONLY work on bacteria.
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.
What type of antoboitics work against viruses?
It's called NONE. Antibiotics are for bacteria. They are not for virus because they don't work on virus.
Which antibiotics can be taken with Tamiflu?
You shouldnt take antibiotics for a flu infection. Antibiotics only work against infections caused by bacteria, fungi and some parasites. They don't work against any infections caused by viruses. Viruses cause colds, the flu and most coughs and sore throats.
How do disease caused by bacteria and diseases caused by viruses by react to antibiotics?
Viruses ALL ignore antibiotics, Bacterial infections vary in their response depending on the sensitivity of the bacteria to the specific antibiotic.
Do antibiotics work better to treat bacteria or virus?
they don't work at all on viruses
Can Antibiotics treat a virus?
No. Antibiotics only treat bacteria - and each antibiotic has a different group of bacteria it can treat. Antivirals such as acyclovir, foscarnet, and ganciclovir treat some viruses, and others have no treatment other than supportive therapy: fluids, fever control, etc.
Why do antibodies work to kill bacteria but not viruses?
bacteria is complit cell or contain cellular material hence specific antibody riquar as compair to virus is difrance
If a patient has measles why would antibiotics not work?
Antibiotics can only work against bacterium, whereas measles are caused by a virus.
