Are the phrases "jarabe para la tos" or "antibióticos" colloquially used to mean other types of medicine?

Question

My spanish textbook says that if you have a fever, you should take "jarabe para la tos". It also recommends "antibióticos" as a remedy for "la gripe". The glossary translates these phrases as "cough syrup", "antibiotics", and "flu" respectively.

While a language textbook isn't obligated to contain scientifically accurate advice, this is plain wrong. I talked to my teacher (grew up in the US but spoke only spanish at home), and she said she always took antibiotics for the flu. I also have some Filipino friends that believe antibiotics help the flu.

Are these phrases used to mean both antibiotics and antiviral drugs? Is this a common misconception among spanish and spanish-influenced speakers?

Answer 1

Your book is right. The belief that antibiotics help cure viral infections is a common misunderstanding in many parts of the world, not just Spanish-speaking countries. It has nothing to do with the language.

Answer 2

The glossary of your book is correct.

la gripe means the flu
antibiotics means antibióticos
jarabe means syrup
jarabe para la tos means cough syrup

Moreover

antivirales is the translation of antiviral drugs.

That's the language part of the question. (Maybe if you take another book to learn another language you will find the same "scientific inaccuracy", which not being proper of Spanish, would lead to an off-topic discussion here.)

Answer 3

Yes indeed they are specifically used to denote that: cough medicine and antibiotics. No other mean. Just that.

Answer 4

Antibiotics are actually contraindicated for a common flu.

The common translation for Syrup is Jarabe

At least in my country Cuba we use Jarabe as regular rule to treat the flu.

A common say in my country is "Toma un poco de miel con ron para ese catarro"