TempoLife › Features › Colds and flu self-care › antibiotics
Antibiotics for colds — the evidence
The common cold is viral, and antibiotics do nothing to viruses. They add side effects and drive resistance. The only time antibiotics belong in the picture is a bacterial complication — an ear infection, sinusitis that has gone on for weeks, or pneumonia — and that is a clinician's call.
What the evidence says
Verdict: Harmful. The common cold is viral, and antibiotics do nothing to viruses. They add side effects and drive resistance. The only time antibiotics belong in the picture is a bacterial complication — an ear infection, sinusitis that has gone on for weeks, or pneumonia — and that is a clinician's call.
What to actually do
Do not ask for them and do not use leftovers. The change that means "see a doctor" is not the runny nose but the second phase: getting better, then worse again with a fever, or symptoms dragging past 10-14 days.
Source: NICE CKS — common cold · checked 2026-09-07
Self-care reference, not medical advice. Children, older adults, pregnancy and anyone with a long-term condition should have a lower bar for calling a clinician. Severe or worsening symptoms, trouble breathing or confusion: get medical help.