HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

What is the difference between antiviral drugs and antibiotics?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Antibiotics: Both are considered antibiotics, but antivirals treat very specific viral infections. There are fewer of these and they have no efficacy against bacterial infections. Most antibiotics are designed to kill or damage the function of bacteria and have a wider range of activity against bacterial groups.

Dr Ali and another doctor agreed

Answered 8/12/2018

3.1k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

Can you take an antibiotic and an antiviral at the same time?

6 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

Is it ok to continue penicillin antibiotics to finish course when starting antiviral medicine for shingles?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Can I take omeprozole while on antibiotics (cefprozil) and antiviral (tamiflu)?

7 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

I have shingles i'm on a antiviral antibiotic how long will it take for rash to go away?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

Can herpes cause a abnormal Pap smear? Should I take the antiviral antibiotics to clear up the breakout before having my pap? Thanks

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

Is it bad to take antibiotic drugs and antiviral drugs at the same month?
Okay to take antibiotics and antiviral at the same time?
What are some natural antibiotic/antiviral foods that will not interfere with immunosuppressants?
Is it possible for me to mix antibiotic n antiviral?
Can an antiviral and antibiotic together be taken together?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.