Colds (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
Medical Treatment
Many people may see their doctor because they think antibiotics can treat a cold. Antibiotics kill bacteria by several mechanisms. Yet these same antibiotics have no effect on the tiny, simple virus.
Don’t expect your doctor to prescribe an antibiotic for a cold, even if you request one. Antibiotics won’t prevent bacterial infections developing from a cold, such as sinusitis or ear infections, even if taken "just in case."
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Common Cold - What You Do To Avoid
The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:
What do you do to avoid catching a cold?
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Rhinoviruses »
The common cold is an acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) characterized by mild coryzal symptoms, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, and sneezing.
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