Which statement about treating influenza is true?

Which statement about treating influenza is true?

• A. Antibiotics are effective against influenza
• B. Antivirals are ineffective against influenza
• C. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses
• D. Vaccination is unnecessary after infection

Answer: (C)

Influenza is caused by a virus, and antibiotics work only on bacteria by targeting bacterial structures or processes. Viruses replicate inside our own cells, so antibiotics don’t affect them or shorten viral illnesses. That’s why antibiotics are not effective against influenza itself. Antivirals can be helpful if started early, which is why the statement about antivirals being ineffective is false. Vaccination after infection isn’t unnecessary—you can get vaccinated later to protect against future influenza strains, even though it won’t treat the current illness. So the correct point is that antibiotics are not effective against viruses.

Influenza is caused by a virus, and antibiotics work only on bacteria by targeting bacterial structures or processes. Viruses replicate inside our own cells, so antibiotics don’t affect them or shorten viral illnesses. That’s why antibiotics are not effective against influenza itself. Antivirals can be helpful if started early, which is why the statement about antivirals being ineffective is false. Vaccination after infection isn’t unnecessary—you can get vaccinated later to protect against future influenza strains, even though it won’t treat the current illness. So the correct point is that antibiotics are not effective against viruses.