Explorit Science Center

Question 7:

Is it more appropriate to treat virus infections such as chicken pox, influenza, and the common cold with an antibiotic or with aspirin (or Tylenol)?

Answer:

Either Aspirin or Tylenol
(Antibiotics are effective only against bacterial infections such as whooping cough, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, pneumonia, and bacterial infection of deep cuts and animal bites.)

NOTE: This is an academic question - not medical advice - but we feel it appropriate to comment that it might be dangerous to give aspirin to children with chicken pox as it can cause Reyes Syndrome.


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