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It is certainly possible to find a toxic cemical that kills everything, which would include bacteria, viruses, and us as well. The whole trick of antibiotics is to find something that does kill bacteria but doesn't harm the person whose bacterial infection we are treating. In order to do this we have to find some chemical reaction that bacteria use in their normal metabolic processes, but that people do not use. So antibiotics are very closely tailored to the specific biochemistry of target bacteria. Viruses have quite different biochemistry.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago"Antibiotic" actually means "anti-bacterial". Virus's are completely different things to bacteria, which is why antibiotics do not work against them. (Antibiotics are not designed to kill of virus' - that is what "antivirals" do).
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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.
Why does an antibiotic not work the same for all bacteria?
Bacteria also do evolve. If one bacteria is mutated, and survives an attack by antibiotic, he multiplies and forms more bacteria which are more resistant against antibiotic. As days of surviving antibiotics and multiplying eventually creates a bacteria which is resistant against it.
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.
What is the difference between and antiviral drug and an antibiotic drug?
No. Antivirals work to limit the reproduction of viruses, and antibiotics work to kill bacteria. Antivirals do not kill bacteria, and antibiotics do not kill viruses.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
Why could not take an antibiotic for a viral infection?
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.
Why is it important to know whether your sore throat is caused by a virus or bacteria?
You have to know the cause to know how to treat it. There are specific treatments that kill bacteria, and others that block the activity of viruses. Practically none of them work against BOTH viruses and bacteria.
Why is it important to know whether your sore throat is cause by a virus or bacteria?
You have to know the cause to know how to treat it. There are specific treatments that kill bacteria, and others that block the activity of viruses. Practically none of them work against BOTH viruses and bacteria.
