Why might not a doctor give you medication when you have a viral disease?

Answer 1

We don't have effective medications for most viruses... like the common cold. So there is nothing useful to prescribe.

Answer 2

Anti-viral medications are few and far between-> for herpes, for HIV, and for influenza are the few that come to mind.

What amazes me is that most gate-keeper docs do NOTHING whatsoever to actually diagnose what viral illness someone may be suffering from. Makes me very suspicious of any "statistics" that are published regarding disease outbreaks. There could be quite substantial outbreaks of minor diseases that would reult in some economic impact, but not cause many serious illnesses or deaths, but we will, of course, never know, because data is not being gathered.

Thank the managed ("mangled" or "mis-managed") health care providers for this little service, as I am SURE they would not approve any further diagnostic testing at least in the first half dozen doctor visits for any single illness.

Well, that was kind of an angry screed, but I have to get that off my chest.

Answer 3

Because antibiotics do not work on viruses, they work on bacteria. Let's take the common cold which is caused by a virus. The only thing you can do is treat the symptoms, get plenty of rest and let it run its course, but the virus will weaken your immune system and leave you vulnerable to a secondary infection (like bronchitis) which is caused by a bacteria. This is when a doctor will prescribe something. Obviously, effective ant-virals are a huge priority for the medical community.

Answer 4

The only reason a doctor would give you a viral medication is if it is life threatening. Now a days there are few anti-viral out there because most viruses clear on their own. Doctor has refused to treat patients with scrips because too many new strands have developed from over use.

Answer 5

That totally depends on the disease, how long you've had it, what other medications you're taking, and even it's severity. Sometimes rest and sleep are the most effective, or maybe avoiding a certain item or situation. Trust your doctor, they will make the right diagnosis 99% of the time.

Answer 6

There is no cure for a viral illness. The only medication commonly prescribed is symptomatic relief such as cough syrup, nasal decongestants, etc. The only cure for a viral illness is waiting it out.

Answer 7

Because viruses change very fast by mutasion so our drugs cant destroy them and they become resistant.
Sometime adverse effects of drugs are more significant than the morbidity of viral disease and this also cause avoiding prescribing drugs.

Answer 8

When you have a virus, antibiotics will not cure them or make them go away faster, you need to just wait it out. Drink lots of fluids, take care of yourself, get some rest. The doctor usually only prescribes antibiotics for bacterial illnesses. If you take too many antibiotics when you do get very ill there won't be too many antibiotics left to treat you.

Answer 9

Depends on thr virus . unlike what one person poste we infact do have drugs to fight viral infections .
it depends on the viruis.
or your doctor is a not up to date . get a new one

B will not perscribe becasue of HMO caps on RX s they fill some will only fill particular brand usually one they have financial ties to
Pay for it yourself if needed . it is worth it as it prevents the virurs from spreading .
seek out a new MD oif you feel this pne is not doing a good job .

Answer 10

Because you cannot kill a virus the way you kill bacteria. If you had a virus the medicines that the doctor could give you would only help the symptoms, but it wouldn't be any help getting over the virus.