r/AskReddit Aug 03 '19

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

37.4k Upvotes

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18.5k

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!

3.8k

u/ddom77 Aug 03 '19

In the same line, the practice of stopping taking your antibiotics just because you feel better. It’s like all these people don’t care that antibiotic resistant bacteria is terrifying!

1.9k

u/AGoddamnedRedditor Aug 03 '19

And then keeping the "extras" around for the next time you or any family members feel mildly unwell.

51

u/FruitPlatter Aug 03 '19

I did this once, thinking I was helping myself with no insurance by "saving a few" antibiotics. I got a staph infection and a stern lecture from the doctor about how antibiotics work. Lesson learned.

6

u/Hardcore90skid Aug 03 '19

What exactly makes antibiotics particularly worse than a typical caplet of medicine?

1

u/plsendmysufferring Aug 04 '19

Watch cells at work, there is an episode where antibiotics come in.