Get the Right Drug for That Infection
Using an antifungal medicine that
is meant to cure athlete’s foot will
not help the measles because it
is caused by a virus. An antiviral
drug for chickenpox will not help
a finger cut that is infected by
bacteria. So why would antibiotics
help a cold that is caused by a
virus?
- Use antibiotics the right
way. Antibiotics have been used
so often that they are not as good
at fighting bacteria as they used to
be. To make sure antibiotics can
help you, do not misuse them.
- Take medicine as directed.
If you think you need medicine to
fight an illness, make sure you get
the right kind of drug. You may
not need an antibiotic. Then make
sure you take the medicine the
way your doctor says to.
- Antiviral drugs are used for
infections caused by viruses.
- Antifungal drugs are used for
infections caused by fungi.
- Antibiotic drugs are used for
infections caused by bacteria.
