In current medical practice, I see patients consulting for a common cold much more rarely than when I began to practice 30 years ago. The message gets across pretty well: Antibiotics don’t work, and the doctor can’t really help you beyond what you can do on your own.

Patients sometimes see for a cold that lasts more than 7 days, when there is no sign of complication. They are surprised to learn that a common respiratory infection can last longer. The last thing to do then is to press the doctor for a prescription for antibiotics which are completely unnecessary, in addition to causing side effects which are sometimes serious.

The best medicine I recommend to my “patients” is… patience!

Dominic Larose, MD CMFC(MU) FACEP