Antibiotics Treat Viruses
The belief that antibiotics cure viral infections stems from 1950s overprescription practices when 30% of prescriptions were unnecessary. A 1998 medical study revealed 55% of common cold visits resulted in antibiotic prescriptions. These drugs specifically target bacteria, not viruses. Misuse contributes to resistance that causes 700,000 global deaths yearly. Public health education struggles against the appeal of quick fixes. About 40% of American adults have limited health literacy, complicating this issue further.