Colds and ATB

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Hospice/Mental Health/LTC/Home Health.

OK first let me start of by saying, I don't want anyone to have to look information up if you don't want to. I just need a general answer because the answers online have not sufficed. With that said please don't be rude or snarky on my post I'm only trying to ask a questions so please don't start a war on here. Why is it that ATB's aren't used in the common cold. All I can find on the internet is that the cold is a virus and thats why. Why aren't ATB used with viruses? Again, please be nice we are all in this together and this is just a general question.

0 Votes
Specializes in Adult ICU (All over), NICU, Education.

Assuming ATB stands for antibiotics...antibiotics are used to kill bacteria not viruses for those you need antivirals.

0 Votes
Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

Exactly what Eymie said... the common cold is caused by a virus, usually rhinovirus, which the body should be able to combat itself. Most viruses are eventually fought off by the body, but in certain cases antivirals can be given.

Antibiotics only work on bacteria.

Instead of searching for reasons on that, maybe do a search on the difference between a virus and a bacteria. Will get all kinds of info on that... like how the cell walls are different and can be attacked in different ways and yadda yadda...

0 Votes
Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

and if i remember correctly, the abbreviation for antibiotic is abx... just for future reference.

0 Votes
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Are you an LPN? Just curious....

0 Votes

Wow...

0 Votes
Specializes in CVICU, ED.

As mentioned in other posts, antibiotics are for bacterial infections; antivirals are for viral infections. A person may have a "cold" and be prescribed antibiotics if a secondary infection occurs such as pneumonia (which can happen due to the immune system being weakened by the initial infection, setting the person up for a potential secondary infection).

There has been a big push for providers to prescribe antibiotics only if the symptoms imply bacterial infection. This is due to the increased resistance of bacteria to first line (and even second line) antibiotics. This increase in resistance spells big trouble, meaning there will be fewer antibiotics available to combat bacterial infections.

0 Votes
Specializes in LTC, SCI/TBI Rehab,RX Research, Psych.

This was one of my fave lectures from Micro in college.. :)

The cellular wall of viruses mutates / changes...therefore, making them impermeable to antibiotics.

My instructor referred to viruses as wearing 'Jacob's coats'...as they are never the same each time. --Like a 24-hour bug: some people may have nausea & vomiting, while others have diarrhea and a headache...the causative organisms are forever changing until they run their course.

This is why viruses are managed symptomatically...

Hope this helps...Made me think of ol' Professor McAllister all over again :)

0 Votes
Specializes in Telemetry, Case Management.
Are you an LPN? Just curious....

THAT I find a bit rude and presumptuous.......:confused::uhoh3:......maybe its just me but as an LPN who learned this (antibiotics no good for viral infections) in LPN school 26 years ago I take exception to that remark.......maybe I just need a nap.....

0 Votes

Yes, I agree! What a rude statement to make. Maybe she is an LPN student, soon to be LPN student, or just wants a more logical explanation.

Anyway! I agree with one of the above posts about looking at the differences between cell walls of viruses and bacteria. Very interesting. Although I was intimidated by Microbiology at first, I ended up LOVING that class.

Lets not beat up anyone for asking a question, no matter how obvious we think it is. The nurses that think they know everything are the ones I hate working with...and the ones that seem to make the most mistakes.

0 Votes
THAT I find a bit rude and presumptuous.......:confused::uhoh3:......maybe its just me but as an LPN who learned this (antibiotics no good for viral infections) in LPN school 26 years ago I take exception to that remark.......maybe I just need a nap.....

I do need a nap, but I agree with you.

0 Votes
THAT I find a bit rude and presumptuous.......:confused::uhoh3:......maybe its just me but as an LPN who learned this (antibiotics no good for viral infections) in LPN school 26 years ago I take exception to that remark.......maybe I just need a nap.....

I agree with you too. Perhaps that poster would like to explain?

But to the op, I'm with the rest that gave you great explanations. Can't really add on anything meaningful. :)

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment