Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections, and antiviral drugs are not effective against bacterial infections. Most common viral infections, such as the flu or common cold, will usually go away by themselves without antiviral treatment.[1] Antivirals are available for some specific viral infections, such as influenza, HIV/AIDS, and Hepatitis B.
Some viral and bacterial illnesses have similar symptoms, such as pneumonia and diarrhoea, and it is difficult to know which the cause is. Doctors distinguish viral from bacterial diseases by taking a medical history, performing a physical examination, and ordering diagnostic tests such as blood or rapid diagnostic tests (although they are often not very good at distinguishing them). For influenza, a swab is typically used to collect specimens from your throat or nose which are then tested for the influenza virus.
Like bacteria, viruses change and adapt over time and can develop resistance to antiviral drugs. Antiviral drug resistance is particularly an increasing problem in HIV/AIDS patients.
Check out the videos about “virus and antiviral drugs”:
Cell vs. virus: A battle for health- Shannon Stiles
WHO: Action against HIV drug resistance threat
WHO: Action against HIV drug resistance threat
References
1 HealthyMePA. (2018, October 25). Do I Need An Antibiotic? Know the Difference Between Viral and Bacterial Infections. Retrieved from https://www.healthymepa.com/2017/02/21/do-you-need-antibiotics/