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Taking antibiotics for a viral infection may, it is true, be
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05 Feb 2026, 06:43
05 Feb 2026, 06:43
Expert Reply
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Question Stats:
53% (01:35) correct
46% (00:45) wrong based on 15 sessions
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Taking antibiotics for a viral infection may, it is true, be _________ ; however, in certain cases a course of these drugs can actually ward off opportunistic bacterial infections.
| Blank (i) |
|---|
| A. justified |
| B. enough |
| C. recommended | D. ineffective | E. curative |
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Re: Taking antibiotics for a viral infection may, it is true, be
[#permalink]
08 Feb 2026, 08:53
08 Feb 2026, 08:53
Expert Reply
The correct choice is (D) ineffective.
The Logic Breakdown
- The Scientific Fact: Antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria, not viruses. Therefore, taking them for a viral infection (like the common cold or the flu) does not cure the primary illness.
- The Transition: The word "however" tells us there is a pivot. The second half of the sentence describes a positive or useful outcome (warding off "opportunistic" bacteria).
- The Strategy: Because the second half describes a situation where the drugs are useful, the first half (before the "however") must describe why they are generally not the right choice for a virus.
Why the others fail:
- (A) Justified: If the action were "justified," the word "however" wouldn't make sense. You wouldn't say "It is justified; however, it is useful."
- (B) Enough: This implies the antibiotics are doing something to the virus but just not enough of it. In reality, they do nothing to the virus itself.
- (C) Recommended: Doctors generally do not recommend antibiotics for viral infections because it contributes to antibiotic resistance.
- (E) Curative: This is the opposite of the truth. Antibiotics cannot cure a viral infection.
The Logic Breakdown
- The Scientific Fact: Antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria, not viruses. Therefore, taking them for a viral infection (like the common cold or the flu) does not cure the primary illness.
- The Transition: The word "however" tells us there is a pivot. The second half of the sentence describes a positive or useful outcome (warding off "opportunistic" bacteria).
- The Strategy: Because the second half describes a situation where the drugs are useful, the first half (before the "however") must describe why they are generally not the right choice for a virus.
Why the others fail:
- (A) Justified: If the action were "justified," the word "however" wouldn't make sense. You wouldn't say "It is justified; however, it is useful."
- (B) Enough: This implies the antibiotics are doing something to the virus but just not enough of it. In reality, they do nothing to the virus itself.
- (C) Recommended: Doctors generally do not recommend antibiotics for viral infections because it contributes to antibiotic resistance.
- (E) Curative: This is the opposite of the truth. Antibiotics cannot cure a viral infection.
gmatclubot
Re: Taking antibiotics for a viral infection may, it is true, be [#permalink]
08 Feb 2026, 08:53
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