Cough in an infant less than three months old is unusual and may indicate a more serious problem. Prescription Medication Antibiotics should not be routinely prescribed for viral or allergic coughs. However, your doctor can evaluate you to determine if you have a bacterial infection, or if you need a stronger, prescription cough medication. Colds, flu, and other bugs are a fact of life. But you can minimize their impact on your life by staying healthy, practicing good prevention habits, taking immediate steps to combat an illness, and working in partnership with your health care provider as needed.
Bacteria are one-celled organisms.
They can spread in water and food, through the liquid droplets in coughs and sneezes, on dirty hands, and on contaminated surfaces. Bacterial diseases include bronchitis, strep throat, and sinus infections. As a rule, bacterial infections respond to antibiotics. Unlike bacteria, viruses can only live inside other living cells. On their own, they are merely an inactive collection of molecules.