The Key Rule
Antibiotics ONLY work on bacterial infections. They do absolutely nothing for viral infections like colds, flu, or most coughs.
When You DON'T Need Antibiotics
- •Common cold (always viral)
- •Flu (viral)
- •Most coughs and bronchitis (usually viral)
- •Most sore throats (90% are viral)
- •Runny nose (viral)
When You MIGHT Need Antibiotics
- •Strep throat (bacterial, needs testing to confirm)
- •Urinary tract infections (UTI)
- •Some ear infections (especially in children)
- •Bacterial pneumonia
- •Infected wounds
How to Tell the Difference
Unfortunately, you often can't tell without a doctor. However, some clues suggest bacterial infection:
- •Symptoms lasting more than 10 days without improvement
- •High fever (>38.5°C) for more than 3 days
- •Thick, colored mucus (green/yellow) for more than a week
- •Severe, localized pain (ear, throat, sinus)
⚠️Why Antibiotic Resistance Matters
Taking antibiotics when you don't need them contributes to antibiotic resistance—bacteria evolving to survive antibiotics. This makes future infections harder to treat. Only use antibiotics when prescribed by a doctor, and always complete the full course.