It’s very rare that the average adult would need antibiotics in the 1st few days of URI symptoms. Also rare that the average Covid + patient would need antibiotics in the 1st few days.

The test has never played a part in my decision making. I’m assuming you don’t need antibiotics unless proven otherwise either way.

Now I do see utility in a positive test convincing certain patients that they don’t need the antibiotics I didn’t think they needed anyway. The VAST majority of the Covid/flu/strep tests I order are for this reason.

The 5 day thing?…that ain’t science.