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Asked by LewLew_Greeny to Rosie, Kevin, Beccy on 20 Jun 2017.
Question: how long will it take for modern day antibiotics to become ineffective against modern day viruses
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Rosie Fok answered on 20 Jun 2017:
Antibiotics do not work against viruses (modern or otherwise). They are active against bacteria.
There are anti-viral medications. The viruses that these can treat can develop resistance to them during use.
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Kevin Pollock answered on 21 Jun 2017:
Antibiotics only work against bacteria – antivirals are used against viruses but aren’t particularly effective.
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christldonnelly commented on :
The anti-viral drug Tamiflu® was made available during the 2009 influenza pandemic. Influenza viruses can develop resistance because they are constantly changing.
Check out the Drug Resistance Zone of I’m a scientist. They have answer loads of questions relating to this. https://drugj17.imascientist.org.uk/