A mother brings her daughter to the clinic for a runny nose and fever of less than one week’s duration. You diagnose an uncomplicated upper respiratory infection (URI) and explain that antibiotics are...

A mother brings her daughter to the clinic for a runny nose and fever of less than one week’s duration. You diagnose an uncomplicated upper respiratory infection (URI) and explain that antibiotics are unnecessary. Why is this the case? If the mother calls back after another week and reports that symptoms have gotten worse, would this change your mind?