Strep throat is caused by bacteria and may require treatment with antibiotics. In most cases, a throat swab to test for strep is needed before your health care provider will prescribe an antibiotic for a sore throat. Colds and flu. Viruses cause colds and flu. These illnesses may last for two weeks or more.
Antibiotics have no effect on colds or flu.
The Consulting Nurse will have suggestions for what you can do to feel more comfortable while the viral infection runs its course. Yellow or green mucus does not mean that a child or an adult has a bacterial infection. It is normal for the mucus to get thick and change color during a viral cold. Antibiotics are useful medicines. You should use them to treat certain bacterial infections.