Why are antibiotics not effective on viruses?

Answer 1

Antibiotics are not effective against viruses because they work by targeting specific structures or processes that are unique to bacteria and not found in viruses. Antibiotics work by inhibiting the growth or killing bacteria, but they do not have the same effect on viruses because viruses are much smaller and have different structures and mechanisms.

Bacteria are single-celled organisms with their own metabolism and cellular structures. Antibiotics can target specific structures or processes in bacteria, such as cell walls, protein synthesis, or DNA replication, disrupting their growth or causing their death. However, viruses are not cells but rather genetic material (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat. They require host cells in order to replicate and grow.

Since viruses do not have their own metabolism or cellular structures, antibiotics that target bacterial structures or processes will not have any effect on them. Antiviral drugs are specifically designed to target viral structures and processes and are used to treat viral infections.