Bacterial vs. viral infection and antibiotics

[Editor’s note: This article was submitted by the staff of Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center.]

Are you wondering why antibiotics are not being prescribed? Read on to learn the latest about the safe and effective use of antibiotics.

Antibiotics can save lives, but they may not be the answer when a person becomes sick. If a person is sick with an infection caused by a virus, in the case of colds, flu, bronchitis and runny noses (even if the mucus is thick, yellow or green), then antibiotics won’t make you feel better. Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections.

Anytime antibiotics are...