 [ Symptoms ] should i go to the doctor or get an antibiotic for a cold [ Disease ] you usually do not need a doctor or an antibiotic when you have a cold colds are caused by viruses antibiotics kill bacteria not viruses but a cold can turn into a sinus infection if your sinuses become blocked and cannot drain properly you can develop inflammation and a bacterial infection an ear infection may also result from a bout with a cold sometimes you need antibiotics to clear the bacterial infections from your body