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Antibiotics kill bacteria by recognising the antibodies secreted by the bacteria, then attach themselves to the bacteria and give out a signal calling for white blood cells (phagocytes) to eat up the bacteria. Viruses do not secrete the antibodies recognised by antibiotics as they do not resemble proper cells, therefore antibiotics cannot recognise viruses and thus they cannot be digested by phagocytes.
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Why antibiotics are ineffective against viral disease?
Antibiotics are only for bacteria. Viruses need antiviral medicines.
Why regular antibodies not be used as effective treatment of viral diseases but effective against bacterial infection?
Viral diseases are caused by viruses which live in our cells as a host. So, killing them by antibiotics means killing our own cells. This is why antibiotics are not effective against viral diseases.
Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections because?
Because antibiotics are designed (by nature) to effect bacteria. And bacteria and virsus are two very different things.
Why it is difficult to treat viral disease?
It is difficult to treat viral disease because antibiotics do not work against viral diseases and also antiviral can be given but they are no really used because of adverse side effects.
What is the differences between viral and bacterial water-born disease?
The viral water-borne diseases cannot be treated by the antibiotics while the bacterial water-borne diseases can be treated by the antibiotics.
Why are antibiotics not prescribed for viral diseases such as common cold?
Antibiotics only kill bacteria, they cannot be used effectively to treat a flu virus infection. Antibiotics don't affect viruses. Sometimes people with the flu develop secondary bacterial infections and then antibiotics may be given to treat or prevent this complication.
Why are antibiotics not used on viral infections?
Antibiotics damage the cell wall of living organism leading to its death. The viruses do not have a cell wall. Antibiotics are produced by bacteria and fungi that treat bacterial infections, not viral infections because viruses use host cells to perform their activities. So, they cannot kill viruses. That's why antibiotics are not effective for viral diseases.
What is used to treat bacterial infections but cannot prevent viral diseases?
Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections by targeting the bacteria's structure or function. However, antibiotics are not effective against viruses because viruses are different from bacteria in structure and how they replicate. This is why antibiotics cannot prevent or treat viral diseases.
Why are antibiotics ineffective in treating viral infections?
Antibiotics are ineffective (while not always) in treating viral (virus) infections because of how the medications take effect. Antibiotics work by changing the body's PH to kill off bacteria. Virus's have to have a host to live and therefore can adapt to the changed in the body. So successfully kill viruses, one has to destroy the DNA within it.
Antibiotics are effective against both bacterial and viral infections?
false
Are bacterial diseases treated differently by doctors than viral diseases?
Yes. Bacterial diseases can be treated with antibiotics. Viral diseases have to run their course. Many viral diseases have vaccines available, such as flu, measles, mumps, chicken pox and so on. If your cold or flu turns into pneumonia, then that can be treated since it is bacterial.
Are antibiotics effective to shorten the duration of a cold or flu?
No, antibiotics are not the right medication for a cold. Antibiotics are for treating bacterial infections. The common cold is caused by a virus, not bacteria, and will not be affected by antibiotics. There may be a situation where a doctor may prescribe antibiotics for a secondary bacterial infection after a cold or flu, but the cold itself can not be treated with antibiotics...it is a waste of money to use them for a cold and is also an unnecessary risk of adverse reactions or allergies to the antibiotics.
