When you’re sick, a question that pops into mind immediately is whether you should be taking an antibiotic or an antiviral. Though both types of drugs are used to combat illness, they work very differently in your body. Taking the wrong drug will not only do little to help but can also lead to a range of side effects and even drug resistance.Â
Therefore, understanding the fundamental differences between antibiotics and antivirals can help you make informed health decisions and know when to see a healthcare professional.
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What are antibiotics?
Antibiotics are prescription drugs that can treat a range of bacterial infections. Do use our customized symptom checker on the Medipedia website, whether you require antibiotics to cure the infection or disease that you are suffering from. They can either kill bacteria outright or inhibit their growth, thereby stopping them from replicating within your body. Doctors often prescribe antibiotics for infections that are caused by harmful bacteria, some of which include:
- Strep throat
- Urinary tract infections (UTI)
- Bacterial pneumonia
- Some ear infections
- Skin infections
Though extremely useful for bacterial infections, antibiotics do not act upon viruses. Using them when a patient has a viral infection increases antibiotic resistance, making subsequent infections harder to treat.
What are antivirals?
An antiviral is a drug that targets a specific virus. Unlike antibiotics, which destroy bacteria or stop their replication, antivirals tend to inhibit viral reproduction and reduce viral transmission throughout the body. Doctors prescribe antivirals for some viruses, such as:
- Â Influenza (flu)
- Â Covid-19
- Â Herpes simplex virus
- Â Hepatitis B and C
- Â HIV
Antiviral medications are often most effective when taken within the first 48 hours after contracting the virus, and they may reduce the duration and severity of illness, as well as the risk of complications.
Knowing the Difference
The distinction between antibiotics and antivirals is quite distinct, and is based on the organism responsible for the infection:
| Antibiotics | Antivirals |
| Treat bacterial infections | Treat viral infections |
| Kill bacteria or stop growth | Slow virus replication |
| Ineffective against viruses | Ineffective against bacteria |
| Commonly used for UTIs and strep throat | Commonly used for flu and COVID-19 |
Since bacteria and viruses are vastly different organisms, they would require entirely different drugs to be treated effectively.
When do you need an antibiotic?
You might need to take antibiotics if your doctor determines, through a variety of diagnostic tests, that you have a bacterial infection. These can be indicated by:
- Persistent fever
- Thick, colored (green or yellow) mucus
- Localized swelling or pain
- Symptoms that continue for a duration beyond that of normal recovery
- A positive culture/laboratory result
That being said, you cannot rely on the aforementioned symptoms as proof that you need an antibiotic, as they often overlap with symptoms of a viral infection. Most coughs, colds, sinus infections, and sore throats are viral and will usually resolve on their own, with medication to manage symptoms.
When do you need an antiviral?
Similar to antibiotics, antivirals are typically prescribed for the diagnosis of, or a high risk of contracting, specific viruses, and, in some cases, when patients have weakened immune systems, are prone to chronic diseases, or suffer severe symptoms. Antivirals for the flu, for example, should be taken within 48 hours of symptom onset and can help reduce the duration and discomfort of the flu.Â
Likewise, antivirals used to treat COVID-19 can reduce the risk of hospitalization in patients at high risk of serious complications. In contrast, patients with chronic conditions such as HIV or hepatitis B and C require a long course of antiviral medication to control their illness. Unlike antibiotics, it is uncommon for health care professionals to prescribe antiviral medication for every viral illness, since many resolve on their own with rest, adequate fluid intake, and symptomatic care.
Why do you need to take the right drug?
The repercussions of taking the wrong medication can have varied effects. For example, using antibiotics for a viral infection is not only harmful to you, but it also increases the chances of contributing to drug resistance and leads to unnecessary side effects and an allergic reaction.Â
A growing public health problem of antibiotic resistance has already been attributed to the overuse of antibiotics for viral infections; when bacteria become resistant, these drugs become less effective, often necessitating more potent medications. By the same token, receiving antiviral therapy unnecessarily can result in the patient experiencing similar side effects with no actual health benefits.
How to know whether to take antibiotics or antivirals?
- Do not try to self-diagnose: Symptoms of bacterial and viral infections often overlap.
- Do not take remaining antibiotics or antivirals for an infection that has since passed.
- Always take your medications exactly as prescribed and complete the full course of antibiotics even when you start feeling better.
The bottom line
Both antibiotics and antivirals are useful medicines, but in different ways. Therefore, Antibiotics are mainly used to treat bacterial infections, and antivirals can help to treat viral diseases. Taking the right medicine at the right time may help you recover more quickly, fight off complications, and prevent drug resistance. If you are at all unsure whether your condition is bacterial or viral, see your doctor so they can advise you on the right course of treatment. For more information, connect with us at Medipedia!