Flu is a virus-—why would the MD give you antibiotics?
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Because that's how they make money. They write prescriptions for stuff that the body's immune system will generally take care of on it's own in due course. Everybody is happy. The doctor makes money. The drug company makes money. And the patient feels comforted because the doctor has given him a prescription for MEDICINE. If the doctor would tell him that the illness will probably go away on its own in a few days but to get in touch with him if the condition gets worse, he'd probably be looking to find a new doctor. One that will give him a prescription for MEDICINE.