Why Antibiotics Does Not Work For Cold or Flu?

This is the time when most people suffer from cold and flu as the weather changes. As a result, you will walk to the doctor's clinic but get disappointed as the doctor will give no prescription. 

This is the time when you need to know that antibiotics are not meant for treating cold and flu. Antibiotics are not only effective but also one of the best medications. 

They make you feel better instantly if taken for treating the infections that are caused due to bacteria. However, you need to know that intake of antibiotics when not required can even cause great harm to your body. 

Antibiotics are only effective in fighting against bacterial infection that completely differs from viruses. So, if you want to know that why antibiotics do not work for treating flu then this blog is definitely for you. 

What are Antibiotics?

Colds, flu, bronchitis, sore throat, sinus infections, and runny noses are caused due to viruses. Since viruses are completely different from bacteria and so are the illnesses that are caused by each of them. 

It is important for you to know that antibiotics are not meant for killing viruses. Viruses have different structures as well as replicate when compared to bacteria. 

As a result, it is said that viruses do not respond to the antibiotics that are meant for treating bacterial infections. 

How do Antibiotics work?

Antibiotics are mainly used for treating infections that are caused by bacteria. Bacteria are small organisms that can even live inside or outside the human body. 

There are some bacteria that are not harmful to your body instead they are beneficial. Bacteria that are present in your digestive system are harmless and help in digesting food properly. 

While there are some bacteria in your body that can cause serious diseases if not treated on time. Antibiotics mainly work by averting the growth of bacteria that further kills or inhibits the bacteria. 

In the market, you can find several antibiotics that are helpful in treating different kinds of bacteria causing infections. If you are suffering from strep throat then amoxicillin which is a penicillin-type antibiotic is recommended. 

But remember it is not going to work for treating common types of pneumonia. 

Why antibiotic Medicines do not work for Viruses or Flu?

When compare to bacteria, viruses are completely different and even have a different structure and way of living. Viruses do not have cell walls that are attacked by antibiotics because they are surrounded by a protective protein coat. 

It is necessary for you to know that bacteria attack your body cells from the outside. On the other hand, viruses move into, live in, and even start making copies of themselves inside your body’s cells. 

Like bacteria, viruses are not capable of reproducing on their own due to which they attach themselves to healthy cells.

As a result, they reprogram those cells in order to make other new viruses. Due to all these differences, antibiotics are not able to treat flu or any other viruses. 

How you can treat viruses?

So, you might be thinking that what else you can do for treating illnesses that are caused due to viruses. One of the best ways is to drink plenty of fluids and take over-the-counter medicines. 

Doing these things will help you to get relief from symptoms that further assist you in recovering from virus infection. It is always better to let your body fight off the flu or viruses on its own. 

Therefore, after reading this blog, you must have understood why antibiotics do not work in flu.