Antibiotics and antivirals
Antibiotics and antivirals
The ineffectiveness of antibiotics for the common cold, flu and the vast majority of coughs has been at the centre of health campaigns for many winters now.
Taking antibiotics for these conditions can actually cause patients harm as it puts them at risk of adverse side effects without providing any benefits. Incorrect or over-use of antibiotics also increases the likelihood of antibiotics becoming less effective as bacteria become resistant to them, so they may not work when they are really needed.
Did you know?
The droplets in a single cough may contain up to 200 million virus particles.