Antibiotics are generally targeted to bacterial infections.
Antivirals are targeted at viral infections.
However the efficacy of antivirals is generally low. There is currently no clear data demonstrating that antivirals improve outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
We treat COVID-19 pneumonia with antibiotics when there are signs of bacterial coinfection. This is frequent in other viral infections as influenza, but not in SARS-CoV-2.
Antibiotics work only against bacteria, not viruses. Since COVID-19 is caused by a virus, therefore antibiotics should not be used for prevention or treatment.
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters#antibiotics
Dear Dr. Alemdar!
You pointed to a critical question to consider. One factor is to be lucky, but this issue is a myth into some extent:
1) Gilles, S., Damialis, A. & Traidl-Hoffmann, C. Environmental factors: a “missing link” in COVID-19. Allergo J Int 30, 115–118 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40629-021-00170-w Open access: Article Environmental factors: a “missing link” in COVID-19
2) Rai, B., Shukla, A. & Dwivedi, L.K. Incubation period for COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Public Health (Berl.) (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-021-01478-1 Free access: Article Incubation period for COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis
3) Khoury, D.S., Cromer, D., Reynaldi, A. et al. Neutralizing antibody levels are highly predictive of immune protection from symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nat Med (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-021-01377-8 Free access:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-021-01377-8
Yours sincerely, Bulcsu Szekely
We did not have many severe cases at our hospital. I live in a very sunny place and people spend a lot of time outdoors. They therefore tend to have high vitamin D levels which are associated with a mild course of both influenza and corona virus infections. People are therefore more likely to get ill in the winter when they have low Vit D levels.
Being overweight is also a major risk factor for a severe course and avoiding obesity also seems to be important to remain healthy.
Most important of all is to conquer the fear which is propagated by the mass media at the moment. When we are afraid our immune system does not work well and constant sympathetic hyperactivation is very immunosuppressive. Those who are not afraid are less likely to fall ill.
Regular sleep and avoidance of recreational drugs may also help. Meditation and breathing exercises are also useful in my opinion.
I think the immunity is very important to avoid virus infections .