Q & A: Why Don’t Antibiotics
Work for Colds?
Q. What are antibiotics used for?
A. Antibiotics fight illnesses caused by bacteria. But antibiotics don’t work against viruses. Many common illnesses are caused by viruses. These include colds, the flu, and most coughs and sore throats.The good news is that viral infections usually go away on their own within a week or two.
Q. How can you tell if your illness is caused by a virus or by bacteria?
A. It can be hard to tell. For instance, the flu is a viral infection. But sometimes flu symptoms are the same as signs of a more serious bacterial infection, such as pneumonia.Always call your doctor if your symptoms get worse or last longer than a week or two. Call, too, if you have more serious symptoms, such as a high fever, vomiting, or chest pain.
Q. Why do doctors tell us not to overuse antibiotics?
A. When bacteria are exposed to an antibiotic many times, they can become resistant to it. This means it will be harder for your doctor to cure bacterial illnesses that you get in the future.Try these tips if you have a cold:
- Get plenty of rest.
- Drink lots of fluids.
- Gargle with warm salt water.
- Moisten dry air with a humidifier.
- Breathe in steam if it loosens your congestion.
- Soothe a raw nose with petroleum jelly.
- Use over-the-counter cold medicines to treat symptoms.
Also, wash your hands so you don’t pick up cold and flu germs. And don’t touch your nose, mouth, or eyes after close contact with a sick person.
