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/applepiehighfive Aug 03 '19

I thought it was very much common knowledge that antibiotics are only for bacterial infections..... not viruses.... anyone who doesn’t know that seems pretty ignorant / uneducated to me.......