When You Need Antibiotics Don't expect antibiotics to cure every illness.
Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections.
This very practice has contributed to the development of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. They cant' be cured with antibiotics. Symptoms can last two weeks or more and should be allowed to run their course. Cough and bronchitis are almost always caused by viruses. However, if you have a lung condition or the illness lasts a long time, your infection may be caused by a bacteria instead.