Antibiotics are not routinely prescribed for COVID-19 (or any other viral illness), although in severe cases one antibiotic has shown itself to be of some help: Azithromycin is given when COVID-19 causes severe trouble breathing.
Antibiotics are also used to treat bacterial infections in patients with COVID-19 respiratory infections. Mucus produced in viral infections provides a growth medium where bacteria can grow, causing what is known as superinfection. One study showed that a fifth of COVID-19 pneumonia patients had bacterial superinfections. The two most common bacterial culprits are Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus.
But routinely using Azithromycin for mild COVID-19 will not be helpful for a faster recovery and in fact may cause resistances and side effects like diarrhea.
—
Did you know? QuickMD can help you if you tested positive for COVID-19 and discuss with you various treatment options—via video or phone.