Bad head cold, sore throat - must medicate?

[Butitisme]

I don't like to take antibiotics unnecessarily... this is first head cold I've had in a year or more... I'm W&W.... should I wait it out (pretty miserable) use OTC headcold meds or go to MD (not oncologist)... he loves giving antibiotics... but I hate some of the side effects... Amox works some for me but not sure if it will knock this... I won't take clinda, as I have diverticulitis, and don't want to make bowel bleed. Do you all go on antibiotics automatically when you catch a cold?

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

This is a tough question. True colds are viruses and there's no treatment to cure them, only symptom suppression.

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The problem is bacterial or fungal infections can follow the virus and cause pneumonia. That's where you should get help from a doctor.

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CLL patients get low grade fever from serious infections, so it's difficult for patients to know when they are in danger.

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Len

[MsLockYourPosts Passed Volunteer]

Try asking for a culture if you think an infection is settling in. I’m careful about OTC cold meds. I take each ingredient as needed - Tylenol, decongestant, expectorant, etc. - rather than taking any of mixed formulas. I want to know exactly what I’m putting in my body and how much. I don’t want to pop a couple of Tylenol, for example, not thinking about the fact that it’s already in the OTC cold MRD.

Personally, I would get checked. You don’t have to fill the prescription if antibiotics are pushed, but you would have them on hand.

[Tommays56]

My GP has a pretty good knowledge of CLL and dislikes antibiotics but would dispense if warranted

If I have a lung issue her protocol is a chest X-ray after and exam indicates a fluid buildup in the lungs

[HailMary-USA]

My hematologist/oncologist told me to seek treatment Immediately at the very first sign of any possible infection.

Shortly afterward, I was away from home and came down with a very bad head cold, cough, and sore throat. Visited an urgent care center and was told they usually want a patient to wait 7-10 days to allow a virus to run its course; but that because of my CLL (Stage III), it was best to head off any developing bacterial infection.

I took a full course of Amoxicillin (10 days' worth, I think--2 years ago) and recovered.

Hope you feel better soon. Best wishes, Mary

[SeymourB]

If sinuses are involved, do try saline lavage. It may break up mucus that also drips down the back of the throat. Use only distilled or cooled, boiled water.

webmd.com/allergies/ss/slid...

It's not curative, but it does help.

Saltwater gargle as well.

Always ask for a culture - don't let them assume it's a virus. You can certainly have both a virus and a bacterial or fungal infection at the same time. But if no bacterial or fungal pathogen shows up in the culture, antibiotics might not be needed.

[Ellieoak]

Butitisme, go get professional help now!

[BellaBee10]

I got another bout of flu straight after my IVIG last week. I felt very rough and I’m just starting to pick up now. I will be going to get my chest checked tomorrow though. Often, I think it’s my chest but it’s my upper respiratory tract and ‘drips’! Nice eh! Hope you feel lots better soon.