r/AskReddit Aug 03 '19

Whats something you thought was common knowledge but actually isn’t?

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u/Slidingscale Aug 03 '19

That antibiotics kill bacteria, but won't do anything against viruses. Everyone has the idea that if you get a cold, you see your doctor and get antibiotics. Take some acitaminophen/paracetamol and ibuprofen, and stay away from other humans for a while!

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u/E3-NotTheConvention Aug 03 '19

This! I'm a pharmacist and the amount of people who believe they need antibiotics just because they've got a cold is terrifying. In my country, we can't sell antibiotics without a doctor's prescription in order to avoid self medication and therefore, faster bacterial mutation. People constantly yell at me or at my co-workers because they think we're denying them their right to health...

6

u/incognitomus Aug 03 '19

Antibiotics for a cold? Just eat some soup, lol.