Some people may say there's no harm in taking antibiotics if you feel bad, but if you're fighting off a viral infection like the flu, antibiotics can hurt you more than they can help. That's because the overuse of antibiotics can cause collateral damage. You'll kill off all the bacterial allies in your gut and leave the evil virus untouched. If you do have to take antibiotics for a bacterial infection, protect your gut by eating probiotics, simple foods low down on the food chain that bacteria love and that can help reduce inflammation.