Viruses or Bacteria Materials

For Everyone

At a glance

  • Antibiotics do not treat infections caused by viruses and only treat certain infections caused by bacteria.
  • Share these materials across communications channels to raise awareness about when antibiotics are and are not needed to treat an infection.
  • Fact sheet seen here, additional formats and languages available below.
  • Remember to use #BeAntibioticsAware in social media posts.
Format: PDF
Page count: 1
Language: English (US)
Size: 87 KB
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Virus or Bacteria What's got you sick?

Additional languages

Virus o bacterias - Que lo enfermo?
Spanish
Virus o bacterias
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Chart in Spanish that includes common respiratory infections caused by virus or bacteria. This chart describes in Spanish common respiratory infections and whether antibiotics are or are not needed.
Spanish
Virus or Bacteria (Spanish) 1200 by 675
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Additional formats

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Virus or Bacteria video
This video explains when antibiotics are or are not needed to treat illness.
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Viruses or Bacteria? What's got you sick?
Viruses or Bacteria – What’s got you sick?
This graphic describes common respiratory infections and whether antibiotics are or are not needed.
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Panel 1: Viruses or Bacteria What’s got you sick? Swipe for checklist.” Panel includes Be Antibiotics Aware logo in bottom left corner, “Learn more at cdc.gov/antibiotic-use” and CDC/HHS badge in bottom right corner.
Viruses or Bacteria Chart Carousel - Image 1 of 2
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Panel 2: Includes table with a list of common respiratory infections, common cause, and if antibiotics are needed to treat the infection. Panel includes the following footnotes: Antiviral drugs are available for some viral infections, such as COVID-19 or flu. Studies show that in otherwise healthy children and adults, antibiotics for bronchitis won’t help patients feel better.
Viruses or Bacteria Chart Carousel - Image 2 of 2
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Panel 1 includes title of carousel, “Virus or Bacteria – What's got you sick? Are Antibiotics needed for my respiratory infection?
When Antibiotics Are and Are Not Needed Carousel - Image 1 of 5
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Panel 2: “Virus or Bacteria – What's got you sick?” Includes list of infections caused by viruses that do not require antibiotics.
When Antibiotics Are and Are Not Needed Carousel - Image 2 of 5
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Panel 3: “Virus or Bacteria – What's got you sick?” Includes list of infections caused by viruses or Bacteria that sometimes require antibiotics.
When Antibiotics Are and Are Not Needed Carousel - Image 3 of 5
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Panel 4: “Virus or Bacteria – What's got you sick?” includes list of infections caused by bacteria that do require antibiotics.
When Antibiotics Are and Are Not Needed Carousel - Image 4 of 5
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Panel 5: Image of healthcare profession interacting with older male patient, Be Antibiotics Aware logo, CDC logo and “Ask a healthcare professional about the best treatment for your respiratory infection.”
When Antibiotics Are and Are Not Needed Carousel - Image 5 of 5
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Text Alternatives

Viruses or Bacteria Video – Text Alternative
Viruses-or-Bacteria-Video-Text-Alternative
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Virus or Bacteria Chart 2 Carousel - Text Alternative
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When Antibiotics Are and Not Needed Carousel - Text Alternative
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Content Source
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)
About This Page
Published: September 30, 2026
Updated: September 30, 2026

This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.

Reviewed: September 30, 2026

The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.