- (HealthDay News) — Antibiotics can help you recover from a
bacterial infection, but they offer no medical benefit against
viruses.

Prescribing an antibiotic for an viral illness, in fact, isn't a good
idea. Overuse of these medicines can make the bacteria in your body
resistant to the drugs. The medicines then lose their effectiveness,
making a bacterial illness harder to treat.

The American Academy of Family Physicians lists these illnesses that
are often treated with an antibiotic, and a few that don't need the
medication:

• Colds and flu are caused by viruses, and won't respond to
  antibiotics.
• Cough and bronchitis are usually caused by viruses. However, people
  with chronic lung problems or those who have a cough that lasts a long
  time may need antibiotics.
• While a regular sore throat is caused by a virus, strep throat is a
  bacterial infection that requires antibiotic treatment.
• Ear and sinus infections should be evaluated by a doctor, since many
  are caused by bacteria, while others are viral.