Can Antibiotics Treat Coronavirus?
It happens every cold and flu season: People call their doctors asking for an antibiotic to knock out the infection. But most colds, flus and other upper respiratory infections are caused by a virus. Antibiotics only kill bacteria; they do nothing for those with a viral infection. The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, that is behind the COVID-19 pandemic, is a virus, and antibiotics are useless against it. Yet, many patients still think they should be prescribed one.
Dr. Gary LeRoy, a family physician from Dayton, Ohio, and the president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, had such a patient recently. She had visited a relative in the hospital, then developed a fever and cough. LeRoy told her she needed to be tested for the coronavirus. “She said, ‘Can’t you just call me in some antibiotics?’” he says.
OUR UNDERWRITERS
Unrestricted financial support by:
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Antimicrobial Resistance Fighter Coalition |
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Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre |
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INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS & ASSOCIATIONS |
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