Why are antibiotics an effective treatment for bacterial diseases but not on viral diseases?
Antibiotics are strong medicines that treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics won’t treat viral infections because they can’t kill viruses. You’ll get better when the viral infection has run its course. Common illnesses caused by bacteria are urinary tract infections, strep throat, and some pneumonia.
Are antibiotics used to treat bacterial diseases or are they used to treat viral diseases?
Why must we treat viral and bacterial infections differently?
While bacteria and viruses can both cause mild to serious infections, they are different from each other. This is important to understand, because bacterial and viral infections must be treated differently. Misusing antibiotics to treat viral infections contributes to the problem of antibiotic resistance.
Which antibiotics is used for viral infection?
The drugs used for viral infection are Acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex) are effective against herpesvirus, including herpes zoster and herpes genitalis.
Why are antibiotics not effective for viral diseases?
Antibiotics cannot kill viruses because viruses have different structures and replicate in a different way than bacteria. Antibiotics work by targeting the growth machinery in bacteria (not viruses) to kill or inhibit those particular bacteria.
When do you need an antibiotic for a bacterial infection?
Many bacterial infections will require an antibiotic; however, the type of antibiotic will vary based on the type of infection. An antibiotic either prevents bacterial growth (bacteriostatic) or kills bacteria outright (bactericidal).
Can a bacterial infection be caused by a viral infection?
In complicated or prolonged viral infections, bacteria may invade as well, and cause what is known as a “ secondary bacterial infection ”. In these cases, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic, if one is needed, to kill the specific invading bacteria.
Why are antibiotic resistant bacteria harder to kill?
Resistant bacteria are stronger and harder to kill, and need more potent medications. In the worse-case scenario of antibiotic resistance, there may be no antibiotics that are effective for your serious antibiotic-resistant infection, hospitalization may be needed, and the infection can be life-threatening.
Antibiotics cannot kill viruses because viruses have different structures and replicate in a different way than bacteria. Antibiotics work by targeting the growth machinery in bacteria (not viruses) to kill or inhibit those particular bacteria.
Many bacterial infections will require an antibiotic; however, the type of antibiotic will vary based on the type of infection. An antibiotic either prevents bacterial growth (bacteriostatic) or kills bacteria outright (bactericidal).
Can a bacterial infection get better without an antibiotic?
If evidence and guidelines suggest that an infection will get better without an antibiotic, it is best not to use one unnecessarily. Excessive use of antibiotics results in the bacteria becoming used to them and adapting. If this happens, bacteria have become “resistant”, which means the antibiotic no longer works against them.
Why are so many people not prescribed antibiotics?
This is why antibiotics are not prescribed for many infections. Many common infections of the nose, throat, sinuses, ears and chest are caused by germs called viruses.