HHS HealthBeat (November 06, 2009)

What antibiotics can’t do

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ted Pestorius with HHS HealthBeat.

Antibiotics may be wonder drugs, especially if you have something like pneumonia or another bacterial infection. But they have their limits. Antibiotics work against bacteria, but not viruses. So, if you have a viral infection, like a cold or the flu, antibiotics won’t cure your infection. So, getting your doctor to prescribe you antibiotics might give you nothing more than a false sense of security.

Regardless, a lot of people can get their doctors to prescribe them antibiotics. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Lauri Hicks:

[Dr. Lauri Hicks speaks] "Well over 50 percent of people who go into their doctor’s office for a respiratory infection like a cold will walk out with an antibiotic even though it is totally ineffective."

Hicks points out that there are other options for treating cold and flu symptoms – such as lots of liquids and plenty of rest.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ted Pestorius.

Last revised: November, 06 2009