human
How do I know if I need to take antibiotics to treat my sore throat?
assistant
You should always consult with your doctor before taking any medication. However, in general, antibiotics are only recommended for bacterial infections and not viral ones like a sore throat. If you have symptoms of a cold or flu, such as a runny nose, coughing, fever, fatigue, and body aches, you may want to consider using over-the-counter medications instead.