Like a Snowblower in a Rainstorm: Treating Colds with Antibiotics

Early one morning, heavy rain poured from the sky in buckets. The weather forecast on the local news predicted continued wet conditions all day. Family members residing to the West called to say they had seen flooding already. 

Remembering the last big storm to hit the area, Jim decided to approach the manager of his townhouse complex to get some help.

"Mr. Smith, this rain storm is really bad. My yard is already a swamp and I don't want to get water in the basement. The last time we had  a storm, your snowblower really helped a lot. Can I use that snowblower to help with this rain storm?"

January in Baltimore means peak time for cold virus infections.

Usually spread through hand contact with another person or contaminated object,  washing hands is the best prevention. Cold symptoms can include include runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, mild cough, ear fullness, and sinus pain. There is a tendency of individuals to think their particular cold is the worse one in existence.   

Despite great advances in medicine, there are no medications (over-the-counter or prescription) that actually rid the body of the cold virus. The body's defense system, or immune system,  will eventually fight off the virus.

Unfortunately, it may take a few days to a week or so.

Remember that physicians do truly want to help. That is why we recommend supportive treatments to help the symptoms and assist your body's recovery.  Drinking plenty of fluids, getting rest, and taking some medications to help deal with the runny nose and cough are usual recommendations.   

Don't push your health care provider to prescribe an antibiotic. Yes, being excessively creative and colorful with your graphic description of your piles of tissues counts as pushy.

Antibiotics are designed to treat bacteria, not cold viruses. When used for colds, they can actually cause more harm than good. Common antibiotic side effects include diarrhea and yeast infections. Antibiotic overuse can also lead to resistant bacterial infections to deal with in the future.

Mr. Smith's powerful snowblower was great for clearing snow. Unfortunately, no matter how much Mr Smith wants to help the situation, he knows lending Jim the snowblower won't help him with the nasty rainstorm.