Why would a doctor prescribe an antibiotic for a patient with viral pneumonia? i am doing a paper for school and can't find this answer anywhere

Antibiotic : Antibiotic agents don't work for viral infections and should not be prescribed. However, it is often easier to write a prescription than to explain to a patient why you won't. I have had patients leave my office very angry and immediately go to another doctor to get the antibiotics that I have declined to give.

Antibiotics : Antibiotics are not effective against viral illnesses. As stated, antibiotics are occasionally prescribed to placate a patient and not treat the patient. This is not acceptable medicine, but, until the general population fully understands this, it still occurs. There are occasions where antibiotics are prescribed for patients with viral illnesses if the patients are in a weakened state and at risk for an opportunistic bacterial infection. The over prescription of antibiotics has led to the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria that cause infections that are difficult to treat see (msra). Over use of antibiotics also leads to the destruction of normal bacteria that inhabit the mouth. Gi tract, and urinary tract leading to problems like fungal infections and GI problems.