Dr. Inubo’s 1-Minute Q&A

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Antibiotics are specifically designed to target bacteria, which are relatively large microorganisms. However, most cases of the common cold, including those caused by the coronavirus or influenza virus, are viral in origin, not bacterial.

This means that taking antibiotics won’t kill these viruses, and they are therefore ineffective against colds. That said, if a cold worsens and leads to a secondary bacterial infection, antibiotics can be effective in treating the bacterial aspect of the illness.