tamazaball
What Starwolf has posted is very true. Many a viral illness has an accompanying bacterial infection. More than that, the viral one may significantly lower the body’s defenses, allowing an opportunistic bacterial infection to set in. Using common cold as an example – with stuffed nasal passages there is no adequite flushing of the sinuses and bacteria that always lives there starts to proliferate. Then, using post-nasal drip as a vehicle, it easily seeds the bronchial tree and can give someone a nasty case of bronchitis. THIS is why many physicians, especially if their patient has a history of such progressions, or of many bacterial bronchial and pulmonary infections, will prescribe AB therapy at once.
Others, unfortunately, are afraid to be sued if the illness deteriorates into a secondary infection, or are reluctant to lose a patient who clamors for antibiotics, and therefore give them right away, knowing that they are not needed. This has led to multiple-drug resistance in bacteria, along with not completing the required course of treatment once started.
As Starwolf pointed out, if your physician knows you well, he/she will make better choices in your regard. Obviously, personal experience of a given physician plays a major role. If doing something for some 30 years worked better than other means, it is likely to be adhered to. This tendency of any particular care provider can be found out by the word of mouth from the doctor’s other patients.