Archive · 7 Aug 2025
WHO Updates COVID-19 Guidelines, Recommends Against Antibiotics
The World Health Organization (WHO) has new advice about treating COVID-19.
They say doctors shouldn't give antibiotics to people with COVID-19 if they don't also have a bacterial infection.
This is because the situation has changed since the start of the pandemic.
Things like how many people are getting sick and how sick they are, along with healthcare practices, have all changed.
These new guidelines help doctors treat patients in the best way possible, taking into account the latest information and treatments.
WHO advises against the use of antibiotics for COVID-19 patients without suspected bacterial infection.
Updated recommendations are based on new evidence and changing circumstances of the pandemic.
Antibiotic use is discouraged for both non-severe and severe COVID-19 cases with low suspicion of bacterial infection.
Guidelines have evolved since 2020 due to reduced infection rates and severity, and changes in healthcare.
The updated guidelines are for healthcare professionals involved in the care of COVID-19 patients.
- Who
- The World Health Organisation (WHO) and healthcare professionals.
- What
- WHO updated recommendations for clinical management of COVID-19, advising against antibiotic use.
- When
- The recommendations were recently updated.
- Where
- Globally
- Why
- Based on new evidence, changing circumstances, and the need to address antimicrobial resistance.
WHO Guidance
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Antibiotic Usage
WHO Guidance
WHO advises against routine antibiotic use for COVID-19.
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N/A
- Organization
- World Health Organisation (WHO)
- Focus
- COVID-19 clinical management
- Recommendation
- Discourages antibiotic use when bacterial infection is not suspected
- Target Audience
- Healthcare professionals
- Basis
- Updated evidence and changing pandemic landscape