Are Antibiotics Unhelpful for Treating the Common Cold?

Because antibiotics only fight bacteria, and not viruses, they're usually ineffective against colds. Sometimes a cold may lead to a bacterial infection, though.

Will antibiotics cure the common cold?

There is no cure for a cold. It will get better on its own—without antibiotics. Antibiotics won't help you get better if you have a cold. When antibiotics aren't needed, they won't help you, and their side effects could still cause harm.

Why should you not use antibiotics on the common cold?

As bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, the risk grows that harmful infections caused by bacteria can no longer be treated because we don't have any tools left to fight them. Taking antibiotics when they aren't needed can increase this risk for everyone and make antibiotics less effective overall.