“Antibiotics kill viruses.”
Usage Entry 1447 / 1605 60-second read
Virus vs. Bacteria
A non-living infectious agent that needs a host versus a single-celled living organism.
The comparisoni
“Antibiotics kill bacteria — viruses don't respond to antibiotics. Antivirals (or vaccines) target viruses.”
The ruleii
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BACTERIA = living. VIRUSES = need a host.
BACTERIA are single-celled living organisms; antibiotics target their cellular machinery. VIRUSES are smaller, not technically alive — they need a host cell to reproduce. Antibiotics don't work on them; antivirals or vaccines do.
Memory aidiii
Remember it like this
Bacteria live alone. Viruses need a host.