Antibiotics kill bacteria. They have no effect on viruses, which cause most coughs, colds, sore throats and flu. Taking an antibiotic for a viral illness will not shorten it, will not prevent it worsening, and carries side effects along with a long-term cost.
Which illnesses do not need antibiotics?
- Common cold and most sore throats
- Influenza
- Most coughs and bronchitis in otherwise healthy adults
- Most ear infections in children, which often settle on their own
- Stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis)
When are antibiotics genuinely needed?
They are needed for confirmed or strongly suspected bacterial infection — for example bacterial pneumonia, urinary tract infection, streptococcal throat infection, cellulitis, or infected wounds. A doctor decides based on examination and, where appropriate, tests.
What is antibiotic resistance?
Every time antibiotics are used, bacteria that happen to survive can multiply and pass on their resistance. Over time this produces infections that no longer respond to standard treatment. The World Health Organization identifies antimicrobial resistance as one of the top global public health threats, associated with millions of deaths each year.
This is not only a population-level problem: unnecessary antibiotics change the bacteria carried by you and your family, so a future infection can be harder to treat.
How should I take antibiotics safely?
- Take them only when prescribed for you — never left over, and never someone else’s
- Take the full course as directed, at even intervals
- Do not stop early because you feel better, unless your doctor tells you to
- Tell your doctor about allergies and any other medicines you take
- Return unused antibiotics to a pharmacy rather than keeping them
What can I do instead for a cold or flu?
Rest, fluids, and paracetamol or ibuprofen for aches and fever. Most viral illnesses improve within 7 to 10 days. See a doctor if you have breathing difficulty, symptoms lasting beyond about 10 days without improvement, a fever that returns after settling, or if you are pregnant, elderly or have a chronic condition.
