When would someone know especially when it is hurting in the throat to take a cold medicine or antibiotics? felt good when i took antibiotic.

Strep throat: This requires clinical acumen and either a gram's stain of a pharyngeal swab, culture or rapid strep test to determine whether this is likely to be bacterial rather than viral infection. Taking antibiotics empirically is not without risk and should not be done without physician input.

Sore throat: For significant sore throat with swollen tonsils / lymph nodes – see physician & get a strep throat test/ culture. If you have Strep Throat, antibiotic therapy is imperative to prevent future complications. Don't just take antibiotics because throat is sore.