01/08/2026
🦠Antibiotics Don’t Treat Viruses Here’s Why
🤔 Many parents expect antibiotics when their child has a sore throat, cough, or runny nose, but that doesn’t always help.
👉 Antibiotics are powerful medicines that fight bacteria not viruses. Most common childhood illnesses like colds, flu, RSV, and routine coughs are caused by viruses, so antibiotics won’t make your child feel better or help them recover faster.
📌 Here’s the key point
🧬 Viruses and bacteria are very different. Antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria and do not work on viruses at all.
⚠️ Why this matters
• Antibiotics can cause side effects like diarrhea, rash, or allergic reactions
• Overuse can promote antibiotic resistance making bacterial infections harder to treat in the future
• Different bacterial infections require different types of antibiotics. Using the wrong one may not treat the infection and can cause harm.
âś… When antibiotics are needed
Your pediatric provider will prescribe them when your child has a confirmed bacterial infection like strep throat or certain ear infections where these medicines truly help.
đź’ˇ Important reminder
Never use leftover antibiotics or treat a new illness without talking to your pediatric provider first. Using the wrong medication or dose can delay proper treatment and increase resistance.
