It is important not to take antibiotics for viral infections for several key reasons:
- Antibiotics are designed to kill or inhibit bacteria, but viruses are not bacteria; they have different structures and replication methods, so antibiotics have no effect on them. Taking antibiotics for viral infections thus does not cure the illness or help recovery.
- Using antibiotics unnecessarily exposes individuals to potential side effects like diarrhea, nausea, allergic reactions, and harm to organs without any benefit in treating the viral infection.
- Overuse or misuse of antibiotics for viral infections contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria—known as "superbugs." These resistant bacteria are much harder to treat and pose a serious public health risk because infections caused by resistant bacteria do not respond to standard antibiotic treatments.
- Antibiotics do not prevent the spread of viral infections, nor do they make the infected person feel better faster. The best approach against viral infections includes rest, hydration, and symptomatic relief.
In summary, antibiotics should only be used for bacterial infections where they are effective, not for viral infections where they provide no benefit and can cause harm at both individual and community levels by increasing antibiotic resistance and side effects.