Have you ever thought to know the differences between antivirals and antibiotics? Well, both have an important position in modern medicine. However, their target is pathogens and they work in different ways to treat a disease. Let’s have a look at the main differences between antivirals and antibiotics. We will also discuss when should you use them. Also, the fact that why understanding the difference between them is essential for your health.
Antibiotics are highly effective medications that cure bacterial infections. They either eliminate or inhibit bacteria from growing or regenerating. However, they make them the foundation of modern medicine. There are infinite dangerous and life-taking infections that antibiotics have treated. For instance, penicillin was the first even hugely used antibiotic. Transformed medicine by powerfully treating infections such as pneumonia, syphilis, and strep throat. Antibiotics work on particular structures in bacteria; they can be cell wall or protein synthesis. They do not exist in human cells. This makes them very powerful against bacteria while having minimal effects on our own tissues.
Respiratory Infections: Bronchitis, sinusitis, or bacterial pneumonia takes place due to bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Mostly because of Escherichia coli.
Skin infections: Examples include cellulitis or contaminated wounds.
Strep Throat: Happens because of Streptococcus pyogenes.
Moreover, antibiotics do not fight against viruses, which is why antivirals exist.
Antivirals are medications that fight against viral infections. Viruses are smaller than bacteria comparatively. They depend on a host cell’s machinery to regenerate. Combating against viral infections is difficult. Antivirals typically function by:
Hinder the virus’s quality to attach to or detach the host cell.
Stopping the virus from reproducing its genetic material within the host cell.
Giving support to the immune system’s ability to beat the infection.
Unlike antibiotics, there are many antiviruses that treat a particular virus. In other words, a medication, powerful against one virus may not be beneficial in another virus. For instance:
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir: For influenza.
Acyclovir or valacyclovir: For herpes infections.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART): For HIV.
Sofosbuvir or entecavir: For particular cases of hepatitis B & C.
Remdesivir: Taken when a patient is having COVID-19 and some other viral infections.
Certain antiviral treatments can effectively remove certain viruses from the body. For example, particular antiviral regimens for hepatitis C can give you a complete cure by eliminating the virus. However, in many other scenarios (for example, flue, herpes), antivirals basically minimize symptom time gap or severity instead of completely eliminating the virus.
There is a misconception that antibiotics can cure all kinds of infections. Moreover, the truth is, that antibiotics’ only target is bacteria. Viruses contain different structures and depend on the host’s cell machinery to regenerate. Therefore, antibiotics can’t act on them. In addition, overdose or wrongly using antibiotics plays a part in antibiotic resistance. The bacteria, that change to survive antibiotic treatment. This is the reason why timely using the medication is important.
Doctors recommend antivirals in the following circumstances:
You are likely to catch a unique viral infection. That viral infection can be herpes, influenza, or Corona virus.
The signs are extreme or prolonged: Antivirals can minimize the duration of flu signs if taken within 48 hours of the beginning.
You are at high risk of complications: For instance, if you are pregnant, getting old, or have a weak immune system, doctors will recommend antivirals to you to cure serious diseases.
Please keep in mind that various light viral infections such as cold mostly resolve with the rest, hydration, and supportive care, no antiviral is required in these scenarios.
Antibiotics are recommended in the case:
You are sure that you have a bacterial infection: Laboratory tests or clinical exam may indicate a bacterial cause. For instance, a high fever with a sore throat. It is the confirmed as strep throat.
There are chances that you may develop compilations: For example, a UTI that has reached the kidneys.
You are becoming well after going through different injuries of surgeries.
If you take antibiotics without consulting a doctor can take you into antibiotic resistance. It can also irritate abdomen bacteria called the microbiome.
A times, a viral infection can weaken the body’s defenses. It may also give you other bacterial infections. Some examples of them are: Influenza accompanied by pneumonia. In such scenarios, both antivirals and antibiotics may be suitable. One should always take advice of a doctor regarding this.
Flu is the most basic viral disease ranging from mild to severe. Antivirals like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) are most powerful when you take them within 48 hours of symptom’s beginning. However, its not necessary that they will treat the flue, but still, they can:
Minimize the gap of symptoms by about 1-2 days.
Help prevent serious complexities, such as pneumonia, especially in high-risk individuals.
If you guess the flu, especially if you are at extreme risk (e.g., pregnant, older adult, or if you are having a weak immune system), immediately contact your healthcare provider. This is to make sure whether the antivirals are suitable or not.
Nausea
Diarrhea
Allergic reactions
Side Effects of Antiviral:
Headache
Fatigue
Possible liver effects (depending on the drug)
Prevention of Misusing Antibiotics and Antivirals
Never do self-medication. Every medicine has side effects and which can be life-taking. So always consult a doctor. Also, never take antibiotics for colds or viral flu.
Both antibiotics and antivirals are invented to cure infections. Nonetheless, they target hugely different pathogens. Antibiotics cure your bacterial infections while antivirals cure the viral infections. If you take the wrong medication for the wrong infection, you can end up having dangerous side effects. That is why, it is very crucial to always see a doctor; when you feel the particular sign of infection. It is advantageous to find out the difference between an antibiotic and antiviral to make the right decision at the perfect time. So, now, if you get an infection, you will know exactly what to do. In other words, you will know whether you should go for an antibiotic or an antiviral. Or, you should just stay at home being in bed.
Are Antibiotics and Antivirals the Same?
No, absolutely not. They both have different properties and they both perform different functions.
Can I take Antibiotics for a Viral disease?
No, you can not take antibiotics for a viral infection as they does not treat viral infection.
Can Antivirals Cause Depression?
Sometimes, yes. Not only they can cause depression but also cause bad sleeping patterns.
