Is ciprofloxacin a good medicine for throat infection ? how to learn if throat infection is due to bacteria or virus ?

Over 90% viral...: ...and won't respond to any antibiotic. In early stages, it usually isn't possible to tell. After a few days, persisting fever (>38C), white patches in the throat, or enlarged/tender glands in the neck suggest strep or other bacteria. Ciprofloxacin is not the best choice for strep/bacterial pharyngitis. Amoxicillin, augmentin, (amoxicillin and clavulanate) or a macrolide (azithromycin etc) are more reliable.