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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Why Virus Should Run Their Course With Rest And No Antibiotic Treatment?

Hello, My Doctor said to wait for a few more days before she could give me antibiotics. After 2 days of starting a cold, with very low fever, throat pain and feeling cold and hot indiscriminately, I went to see her. She said she didn t know if I had a bacteria or a virus. What is the difference? Would it be that bacteria could be treated with antibiotics, and virus should run their course with rest and no antibiotic treatment? Thank you for your explanation.
Mon, 20 Jan 2014
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Thanks for writing in.yes most of the people have same doubt.antibiotics kill bacteria but have no effect on virus as viruses does not have a living structures as bacteria does.viral infections causing flu or cold have self limiting disease course so symptomatic treatment, rest and plenty of fluids does the job.for virus there are antiviral drug that are useful in more dangerous viral infections .
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Why Virus Should Run Their Course With Rest And No Antibiotic Treatment?

Thanks for writing in.yes most of the people have same doubt.antibiotics kill bacteria but have no effect on virus as viruses does not have a living structures as bacteria does.viral infections causing flu or cold have self limiting disease course so symptomatic treatment, rest and plenty of fluids does the job.for virus there are antiviral drug that are useful in more dangerous viral infections .