Antibiotics for Colds?

Ask the Doctor
Leslee B. Cochrane, MD.
Medical Director

Ramona Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice

Question: I am having a cold that has lasted for over a week. I want to see my doctor and get an antibiotic so I can get better soon, what antibiotic would you suggest?

Don’t take antibiotics for colds because they won’t help. During the winter season, I see many patients with cold and flu symptoms who ask the same question and are convinced that they need an antibiotic to get better. Antibiotics are one of the wonders of modern medicine; but they must be used judiciously or patients run the risk of serious side-effects or worse yet, patients can develop drug resistant infections such as MRSA (methicillin resistant staph aureus); which can lead serious complications.

Where did I get this cold from?
Cold symptoms including fever, runny/stuffy nose, sore throat, and coughing are nearly always caused by a virus infection. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, small droplets of saliva and mucus containing the virus float through the air and ultimately land on doors, counters and other objects. When you touch these objects, some of the microscopic particles end up on your hands. Later when you rub your eyes, face or nose those particles infect you with symptoms usually beginning 2-3 days later. Because of this delay, it is often not possible to tell exactly where your cold came from.

Why won’t antibiotics help?
Although there are a few anti-viral medications that can slow down some of the more aggressive influenza viruses, there are no medications effective against most of the over 200 different viruses which cause the common cold. Antibiotics, which can help the body fight against bacteria such as strep throat, are completely powerless against viruses. When your body is infected with a virus, your immune system must make antibodies to attack the virus which is why the average cold lasts about 7 – 10 days.

What can I do for my cold?
Rest, and drink lots of fluids (you knew that was coming, didn’t you!). Regularly washing your hands will decrease your chances of catching a cold by 20% and people who get less than 7 hours sleep per night are 3 times more likely to catch a cold as well. My final advice, take two cookies and call me in the morning.

If you would like to submit a question please contact Jennifer Trebler at jtrebler@ramonavna.org.