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Antibiotics

Feature: Using antibiotics

Did you know that most respiratory illnesses like the flu, or a simple cough or stuffy nose, are caused by viruses? And that antibiotics will not help in most cases because they only fight against bacteria? Using antibiotics when you have a viral infection is not only ineffective, it can also be harmful. Find out more here about what adverse effects this can have, as well as how the incorrect use of antibiotics can make bacteria more resistant.

Research summaries

Common colds: Is it better to take antibiotics or not?

It does not make sense to use antibiotics for simple colds. These drugs have no proven benefit, and can have adverse effects. more...

Common colds: Wait before trying antibiotics?

If there does not appear to be any medical need for antibiotics to treat a simple cold, waiting one to two days can avoid unnecessary adverse effects. more...

Conjunctivitis: Do antibiotics make a difference?

In more than half of all people who have conjunctivitis that is caused by bacteria, the infection goes away without treatment within two to five days. Antibiotic eye drops or ointment can speed up recovery, though. Adverse effects are rare. more...

Impetigo: How can you make it clear up quicker?

For less extensive infections with impetigo, the evidence shows that particular antibiotic ointments are effective. more...

Middle ear infection: Will antibiotics help relieve the symptoms in babies and young children?

Middle ear infection will usually clear up by itself within a few days, with or without treatment. However, for babies under two years of age who have an infection in both ears, antibiotics can speed up recovery. Antibiotics could also help if the baby's ears are leaking fluid because of infection. more...

Open limb fractures: How well do antibiotics protect against wound infections?

Antibiotics improve healing and prevent infections after open limb fractures, and they are a key element of treatment. more...

Sore throats: Do antibiotics help?

Taking antibiotics as a precaution can shorten the symptoms of sore throats by between half a day and one day. There is a risk of side effects, though. And using antibiotics too often can make bacteria resistant. more...

Urinary tract infections: Do antibiotics help?

Three or more days of antibiotics almost always ensure that the symptoms of an uncomplicated urinary tract infection will go away quickly. Taking antibiotics over five days or more can get rid of the last of the bacteria causing the infection, but the longer the treatment, the more adverse effects there are. more...

Acute sinusitis: Can antibiotics help?

In acute sinusitis, antibiotics usually cannot help, because it is normally caused by viruses, not by bacteria. In a severe infection antibiotics are necessary, however. more...