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Originally Posted by Storm Cadet
Again, not in my medical practice are antibiotics prescribed for viral illnesses.
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Justin said, "Antibiotics are prescribed for viral infections so the body can fight off other bacterial infections while the body is weakened from fighting the viral infection. Yes, overuse of antibiotics can have negative results, such as resistance to the drug. But taking antibiotics while fighting a viral infection is common."
He's right (although I would amend that to say, not common, but essential in those cases where antibiotics are needed to prevent predictable and anticipated secondary bacterial infection; not because the body is "weakened").
'Zig said, Antibiotics don't kill viruses, they kill bacteria. And that is absolutely true. Few kids with viral upper respiratory infection should get an antibiotic. Quite a few 80-year-old chronic bronchitis patients with influenza should.
You are both right.