Antibiotics do not work against viruses; they only work on bacterial infections. Antibiotics do not prevent or treat COVID-19, because COVID-19 is caused by a virus, not bacteria. Some patients with COVID-19 may also develop a bacterial infection, such as pneumonia. In that case, a healthcare professional may treat the bacterial infection with an antibiotic.
antibiotics are not effective in the treatment of COVID-19, which the new coronavirus causes. Antibiotics can only treat bacterial infections, not viruses.
If people are receiving hospital treatment for COVID-19, doctors may prescribe antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections.
There are some specific treatments available for COVID-19
Most people who become ill with COVID-19 will be able to recover at home. Some of the same things you do to feel better if you have the flu — getting enough rest, staying well hydrated, and taking medications to relieve fever and aches and pains — also help with COVID-19.
The antiviral drug was FDA approved in October 2020 to treat certain hospitalized patients with COVID-19. And scientists are working hard to develop other effective treatments.
Most people with COVID-19 will recover on their own. There are only two specific treatments available for hospitalized COVID-19 patients; Dexamethasone and Remdesivir. Many clinical trials are currently underway, including in British Columbia – ask your doctor if any clinical trials are available in your area.
How do antibiotics work?
There are different types of antibiotic, which work in one of two ways:
- A bactericidal antibiotic, such as penicillin, kills the bacteria. These drugs usually interfere with either the formation of the bacterial cell wall or its cell contents.
- A bacteriostatic prevents bacteria from multiplying.
Types of treatment are available for the novel coronavirus
There currently isn’t a vaccine against developing COVID-19. Antibiotics are also ineffective because COVID-19 is a viral infection and not bacterial.
If your symptoms are more severe, your doctor or a hospital may give you supportive treatments. This type of treatment may involve:
- fluids to reduce the risk of dehydration
- medication to reduce a fever
- supplemental oxygen in more severe cases