Antibiotics Say: an-ty-by-ah-tiks These awesome medicines attack bacteria that make you sick. (They work only against bacteria, though, so they aren't used for illnesses caused by a virus, like a cold.) Want to hear something weird? Some antibiotics are made from fuzzy mold (penicillin comes from orange mold)! So if you have strep throat or some other infection caused by bacteria, don't worry, because antibiotics can help you feel better! Back to Articles Related Articles Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.