Question

Common cold is not cured by antibiotics because it is
A. Caused by a virus
B. Caused by a Gram-positive bacterium
C. Caused by a Gram-negative bacterium
D. Not an infectious disease

Answer 1

Hint: Common cold is also known as Rhinitis as it is caused by the Rhinovirus. As the name suggests it is a very common type of infectious disease. Antibiotics are the class of medicines that are used to cure diseases that are caused by bacteria.

Complete answer: Rhinitis is popularly known as the common cold. This is because it is named upon the organism causing it. Common cold or Rhinitis is caused by the Rhinovirus. Thus, the Rhinovirus is the pathogen here. The common cold is one of the most common communicable and infectious diseases in humans. Infectious diseases are those diseases that spread from one human being to another very easily. They are also known as communicable diseases. Common cold transmits through the air and via the droplets that result due to the coughing or sneezing of any patient. Hence, it is advised to cover the mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing respectively. This is because if a healthy person inhales these droplets then he becomes sick. Common cold can also transmit through the objects that are contaminated by the infected person or the patient. Rhinovirus infects the respiratory passage and the nose and the nasal passage but not the lungs. It is characterized by nasal discharge and congestion, sore throat, hoarseness in voice, cough and headache, nausea, tiredness, etc. It usually lasts for three to seven days. Since the common cold is caused due to a virus, therefore it cannot be cured by antibiotics. Antibiotics are designed to treat bacterial diseases exclusively.
Thus, based on the above information we can conclude that the Common cold is not cured by antibiotics because it is caused by a virus.
Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: Antibiotics are those antimicrobial medicines that are used for treating bacteria exclusively. The word Antibiotic is made up of two words, Anti meaning against and Biotic or Bios meaning life. Thus, antibiotics mean opposing or against life. These medicines kill bacteria or inhibit their growth. Some common examples of antibiotics are Penicillin, Amoxicillin, etc.