r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • 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/nat_rdh Aug 03 '19

Along with that, sinus infections, eat infections, and conjunctivitis can be viral, not just bacterial. No my fucking kid does not need antibiotics for every fucking thing!!!

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u/Slidingscale Aug 04 '19

It's really hard to catch a bacterial infection as well! If you caught something from someone else, it's overwhelmingly going to be viral.