Which statement is true about antibiotics?

Which statement is true about antibiotics?

• A. They are used to treat infections caused by bacteria
• B. They are effective against viruses
• C. They are effective against all pathogens
• D. They should be used for every fever

Answer: (A)

Antibiotics are medicines that specifically target bacteria, not viruses. They work by disrupting bacterial processes such as cell wall synthesis or protein production, which human cells don’t rely on. Because viruses lack these bacterial targets, antibiotics do not kill viruses and aren’t appropriate for viral infections. They also aren’t effective against all pathogens—fungal infections, viral infections, and protozoal infections need different treatments or supportive care. Fever isn’t automatically a bacterial infection, so antibiotics shouldn’t be used for every fever; overuse can drive antibiotic resistance and cause unnecessary side effects. In short, antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria.

Antibiotics are medicines that specifically target bacteria, not viruses. They work by disrupting bacterial processes such as cell wall synthesis or protein production, which human cells don’t rely on. Because viruses lack these bacterial targets, antibiotics do not kill viruses and aren’t appropriate for viral infections. They also aren’t effective against all pathogens—fungal infections, viral infections, and protozoal infections need different treatments or supportive care. Fever isn’t automatically a bacterial infection, so antibiotics shouldn’t be used for every fever; overuse can drive antibiotic resistance and cause unnecessary side effects. In short, antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria.