Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, and many of the infections people ask about are viral, which is why the most useful thing a doctor can do is work out which one you have. Most coughs, colds, sore throats, sinus infections and earaches are caused by viruses and get better without antibiotics, and NICE guidance notes that a cough can last around 3 weeks, sinusitis around 2 to 3 weeks and a sore throat about a week. Antibiotics clearly help with some infections, including many urinary infections, infected skin and wounds, some throat infections with clear bacterial features, pneumonia, and certain sexually transmitted infections. Taking them when they will not help still carries side effects and adds to resistance. The UK Health Security Agency reported that antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections in England rose to 20,484 in 2024, with an estimated 2,379 deaths, about 400 new resistant infections every week. A video consultation is a good way to decide, because many infections can be assessed from your history, a temperature reading and, where useful, photos, with antibiotics prescribed when they will help and a clear plan when they will not. At The Wellness you can be seen by video the same day from £150, with any prescription sent to a pharmacy near you, or examined in person from £220 when listening to the chest or looking in the ears is needed. Fees appear further down this page.
Reviewed by the medical team at The Wellness. Last updated 14 October 2026.
See an online doctor today on WhatsApp or email team@thewellnesslondon.com or call 020 3951 3429.
Key facts about antibiotics
Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, not viruses such as colds, flu and COVID-19.
Many coughs, sore throats, sinus infections and earaches get better without antibiotics.
Urinary infections, skin infections, pneumonia and some throat infections often need them.
Antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections in England rose to 20,484 in 2024, according to UKHSA.
Never use leftover antibiotics or someone else’s, and return unused ones to a pharmacy.
A doctor can decide by video for many infections and examine you in person when needed.
Which infections usually get better without antibiotics
Colds and most coughs. A cough after a cold commonly lasts around 3 weeks, and antibiotics make little difference unless there is pneumonia or another bacterial complication.
Most sore throats. Many are viral and settle within about a week. A scoring system, called FeverPAIN, helps a doctor decide when a bacterial infection is likely enough for antibiotics to help.
Most sinus infections. Symptoms typically last 2 to 3 weeks, and antibiotics are reserved for people who are very unwell, getting worse, or at higher risk of complications.
Most ear infections. Middle ear infections usually settle within about 3 days and can last up to a week.
Flu and COVID-19. Both are viral. Antiviral medicines, which are different from antibiotics, are used for some people at higher risk.
Which infections usually do need antibiotics
Urinary infections, particularly in women with typical symptoms, and in men, where an infection always needs assessing.
Skin infections such as cellulitis, infected wounds and impetigo that is spreading.
Pneumonia, with symptoms such as fever, breathlessness, chest pain on breathing and feeling very unwell.
Throat infections with clear bacterial features, some sexually transmitted infections, and infections in people with weakened immunity.
Ask whether you need antibiotics on WhatsApp or email team@thewellnesslondon.com.
What can an online doctor assess by video
Urinary symptoms in women, skin infections and rashes with photos, sore throats and sinus symptoms, coughs without breathlessness, conjunctivitis, cold sores and many other common infections.
A video consultation is not the right tool when a doctor needs to listen to your chest, look in your ears or examine your abdomen. In those cases you will be offered an in-person or home appointment, usually the same day.
What is a delayed prescription
Sometimes a doctor prescribes antibiotics with advice to use them only if symptoms get worse or have not improved after a set number of days. NICE supports this for some throat, sinus and ear infections. It means you have treatment ready if you need it, while most people find they do not.
Why antibiotic resistance matters to you
Every course of antibiotics changes the bacteria in your body, and resistant bacteria are more likely to cause the next infection you get. UKHSA estimates that deaths among people with an antibiotic-resistant infection in England rose from 2,041 in 2023 to 2,379 in 2024, and that 90% of resistant infections occur in adults over 45.
Using antibiotics when they help, at the right dose and for the right length of time, protects both you and the people around you.
When to call 999 or seek urgent care
Call 999 for difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, a rash that does not fade under a glass, or signs of sepsis, such as very fast breathing, a racing heart, mottled or blue skin, or feeling extremely unwell.
Seek same-day care for a high temperature with shaking, a spreading red, hot and painful area of skin, urinary symptoms with back pain or fever, or symptoms in someone who is pregnant or has weakened immunity.
What does an online doctor cost in London
Membership practices in central London charge annual retainers running into thousands and then £400 to £600 or more per visit, and Harley Street GP consultations sit at £250 to £350.
At The Wellness each appointment is a single fee, with any prescription included. The medicine itself is paid for at the pharmacy. All figures are from prices.
Signature Membership, with same-day access to a doctor all year, from £6,950 a year or £610 a month.
Home, hotel or office visit with examination, daytime from £495 and evenings and weekends from £695.
In-person consultation, 30 minutes with examination, from £220.
Same-day video consultation with prescription sent to a pharmacy near you, from £150.
Appointments are available 7 days a week by video, at our London clinics, including Marylebone and Belgravia, or at home.
Why people choose The Wellness for infections
Because you can be seen by video today, from home or work.
Because antibiotics are prescribed when they will help, in line with NICE, and not when they will not.
Because a clear plan is given either way, including what to watch for and when to come back.
Because an examination is arranged the same day when video is not enough.
And because prescriptions go to a pharmacy near you.
Related reading
Sore throat, tonsillitis and sinusitis covers throat and sinus infections, recurrent UTI covers urinary infections, persistent cough and chest infection covers coughs, earache and ear infections covers ear problems, and online skin doctor covers skin infections and rashes.
Book a video consultation on WhatsApp or call 020 3951 3429.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get antibiotics from an online doctor
Yes, when they are needed. A doctor can assess many infections by video, including urinary infections in women and skin infections with photos, and send a prescription to a pharmacy near you.
Do I need antibiotics for a sore throat
Usually not. Most sore throats are viral and settle within about a week. A doctor uses a scoring system called FeverPAIN to decide when antibiotics are likely to help.
Do antibiotics help a cough or cold
No, not for colds and most coughs, which are viral. A cough after a cold commonly lasts around 3 weeks. Antibiotics are used if there is pneumonia or another bacterial complication.
What is a delayed antibiotic prescription
A prescription to use only if symptoms get worse or have not improved after a set number of days. NICE supports it for some throat, sinus and ear infections.
Why should I not take leftover antibiotics
The wrong antibiotic or dose may not treat the infection and adds to resistance. Return leftover antibiotics to a pharmacy and see a doctor if you think you need treatment.
How much does an online doctor appointment cost
At The Wellness a same-day video consultation with any prescription is from £150, and an in-person consultation with examination from £220.
The Wellness is a doctor-led private healthcare group providing medical care from our London clinics, including Marylebone and Belgravia. All doctors are GMC-registered. Prescriptions are issued only following a consultation and clinical assessment. In an emergency call 999. This article is general information and not a substitute for medical advice about your own health.
Enquire now on WhatsApp or email team@thewellnesslondon.com or call 020 3951 3429.
References
UKHSA, nearly 400 antibiotic-resistant infections each week in 2024
UKHSA, English surveillance programme for antimicrobial utilisation and resistance (ESPAUR) report
NICE guideline NG84, sore throat acute, antimicrobial prescribing
NICE guideline NG79, sinusitis acute, antimicrobial prescribing
NICE guideline NG120, cough acute, antimicrobial prescribing
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