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What are the differences between bacteria and viruses?
Although disease-causing bacteria and viruses
cause many common infections, these organisms are not the same. Bacteria can
live and are found both inside and outside the human body. Viruses, on the other
hand, are much smaller in size than bacteria and cannot survive outside the body’s
cells. Bacteria contain the genetic material they need to reproduce, while
viruses need to invade healthy cells to reproduce.
What are antibiotics?
Antibiotics are powerful medicines used to treat some infections. However,
antibiotics can be harmful when they are not used the right way. In fact,
antibiotics themselves can also cause some germ-related problems, such as yeast
infections of the vagina and mouth and a severe form of diarrhea. Antibiotics
should only be used when prescribed by a health care provider to treat bacterial
infections.
How can I tell if an illness or infection is caused by a virus
or bacteria?
Sometimes it’s difficult to tell. The following are
some basic guidelines regarding some of the most common illnesses:
- Colds and flu.
Viruses cause these illnesses. They cannot be cured with antibiotics. Both
children and adults should consider being vaccinated with the influenza and
pneumococcal vaccines. Ask your doctor or pediatrician.
- Cough or bronchitis.
Viruses almost always cause these. However, if you have a problem with your
lungs or an illness that lasts a long time, bacteria may actually be the
cause. Your doctor may decide to try using an antibiotic.
- Sore throat. Most
sore throats are caused by viruses and don’t need antibiotics. However,
strep throat is caused by bacteria. A throat swab and a lab test are usually
needed before your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic for strep throat.
- Ear infections. There
are several types of ear infections. Antibiotics are used for some, but not
all, ear infections.
- Sinus infections. A
runny nose and yellow or green mucus do not necessarily mean you need an
antibiotic. It is normal for mucus to get thick and change color during the
course of a viral infection. For some long-lasting or severe cases, your
doctor may decide to prescribe antibiotics.
So antibiotics won’t help cure all infections?
That’s correct. Antibiotics only work against
infections caused by bacteria. They do not work against any infections caused by
viruses. If you have a viral infection, antibiotics will not cure it, help you
feel better, or prevent someone else from getting your virus.
What is antibiotic resistance and why should I be concerned?
Usually, antibiotics kill bacteria or stop them from
growing. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria adapt or change in a way
that makes a specific antibiotic less able to kill them or stop them from
growing. These "resistant" bacteria survive and multiply—causing
more harm, such as a longer or more severe illness, more doctor visits, and the
need for treatment with a more expensive and more powerful antibiotic. Over
time, more and more bacteria are becoming more and more resistant to some of the
most commonly used antibiotics. As this happens, fewer antibiotics are able to
treat common, severe, and even rare illnesses caused by bacteria. To make sure
the antibiotics that we already have remain effective, they must be used
appropriately.
What can I do to help avoid antibiotic-resistant infections?
- Start by having an open-minded
conversation with your health care provider about your illness and about
antibiotic resistance.
- Ask if an antibiotic is likely
to be effective in treating the illness.
- Don’t demand an antibiotic
when your health care provider determines that one is not appropriate. Now you
know that antibiotics don’t cure every illness and that you don’t need to
take antibiotics for most colds, coughs, sore throats, or runny noses because
these illnesses are mainly caused by viruses. Often, these illnesses simply
need to run their course. Sometimes this can take two weeks. Do, however, call
your health care provider if your illness gets worse or lasts longer than two
weeks.
- Ask what you can do to help relieve your symptoms. For example, measures that can help a person with a cold
or flu feel better include: taking a warm bath, increasing fluid intake, using
a cool mist vaporizer or saline nasal spray (available from the neighborhood
drug store) to relieve congestion, or using a sore throat spray or ice chips
to soothe the sore throat.
If your health care provider does determine that
an antibiotic is necessary to treat your illness:
- Take the antibiotic exactly
as instructed. Do not skip does. Complete the prescribed course of
treatment, even if you are feeling better. Sometimes, if treatment is
stopped too soon, some bacteria may survive and cause the illness to return.
- Do not save any antibiotics
for the next time you get sick.
- Never take someone else’s
antibiotic. Their antibiotic may not be appropriate for your illness and
taking the wrong drug can delay correct treatment and allow bacteria to
multiply.
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