Are antibiotics effective for the common cold?
Antibiotics play no role in treating the common cold. Antibiotics only work against illnesses caused by bacteria, and colds are caused by viruses. Not only do antibiotics not help, but they can also cause allergic reactions that may be fatal. So why take them if they won’t do any good? Further, using antibiotics when they are not necessary has led to the growth of several strains of common bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics (including one that commonly causes ear infections in children). For these and other reasons, it is important to limit the use of antibiotics to situations in which they are necessary. Sometimes, an infection with bacteria can follow the cold virus. For example, you might get a sinus infection that lingers days after the cold is over. Bacterial infections may be treated with antibiotics. For in-depth information, see WebMD’s article on Antibiotics and Colds.
