Why can't antibiotics treat flu?

Ho Chi Minh City Vice President said that antibiotics can kill bacteria but do not work on viruses - the cause of influenza.

Here is how to prevent and treat diseases according to the advice of Dr. Tran Anh Tuan - Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Respiratory Association, Head of Respiratory Department of Children's Hospital 1:

Antibiotics extracted from microorganisms and fungi. The first generation made of penicillin, was discovered in 1895, by physicist Vincenzo Tiberio (University of Naples, Italy). The drug has the ability to destroy or inhibit bacterial growth, but has no effect on the virus.

Mothers often mistakenly get the flu to use antibiotics, not knowing that the flu is caused by three strains of viruses A, B, and C. The most common is the influenza A strain with 144 viruses (combining 16 H1-H16 antigens and 9 N1-N9 antigens; for example H1N1, H3N2 and H5N1).

The body will eliminate the virus for a few days, freeing itself after 1-2 weeks without treatment.

Taking antibiotics that are not effective against influenza viruses does not help prevent bacterial superinfection in people who are infected. Doctors prescribe only when patients have infectious complications: pneumonia, middle ear infection, acute sinus. The use of antibiotics to treat influenza is expensive and can cause side effects (diarrhea, allergies, fatigue .).

The body will eliminate the virus for a few days, freeing itself after 1-2 weeks without treatment. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications for severe cases, high-risk patients. Cough, nasal congestion relieves symptoms of discomfort, but does not help the disease go faster. If high fever, can be used to reduce fever with paracetamol, absolutely avoid aspirin.

Hospitalized, isolated isolation if suspected H5N1 flu. Symptoms include: cyanosis; difficulty breathing, chest pain; severe, persistent vomiting; signs of dehydration; convulsions; sleep well; babies cry without tears, poor feeding.

Patients need to rest until complete recovery, home treatment for fever; should eat enough, drink plenty of fluids to not dehydrate. Gargle with dilute salt water to relieve unpleasant symptoms. In addition, patients should also cover their mouths when coughing and sneezing, washing their hands with soap . to avoid infecting . for others.

In order to prevent influenza, it is necessary to actively improve the body's immune system to fend off the virus by taking a restful and reasonable movement, eating nutritious foods and vitamins, supplementing the bacteria . People at risk High muscle (6 months to 8 years of age; seniors over 65 years; people with chronic diseases) should get a flu shot once a year. Although the virus is infected, the disease is also milder, less complications, faster.