Chances are over the next few months you won’t be feeling your best. Brought down by a brush with a cold or even the flu, but when you go see your doctor you might want to adjust your expectations about what they will do for you. The Illinois Department of Public Health says antibiotics aren’t always the answer. Dr. Nirav Shah, IDPH Director, says in most cases they won’t do you much good.

Antibiotics can be used to treat strep throat and whooping cough.