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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.
Ce que disent les preuves
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.
Quoi faire vraiment
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
Référence d’autosoins, pas un avis médical. Enfants, adultes plus âgés, grossesse et quiconque avec une maladie de longue durée devraient avoir un seuil plus bas pour appeler un clinicien. Symptômes graves ou qui s’aggravent, gêne à respirer ou confusion : obtenez de l’aide médicale.