Acute coughs, chest colds, and most sore throats are usually caused by viruses and tend to resolve on their own, often within one to three weeks for a cough. Antibiotics will not shorten a viral illness or prevent it spreading.
Prescribing antibiotics you do not need exposes you to side effects such as diarrhoea, thrush, and allergic reactions, while also driving resistance. This is why clinicians follow evidence-based guidance rather than prescribing on request.
Sometimes a doctor may give a delayed or back-up prescription to use only if things worsen. See a doctor sooner if you cough up blood, are very breathless, have chest pain, a persistent high fever, or symptoms lasting longer than three to four weeks.